KUCHING: Western Digital (WD) is strengthening its long-term presence in Sarawak through a renewable energy partnership that underscores the state’s push to become a regional hub for green industrial growth and advanced manufacturing.
The data storage giant company has signed a Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) agreement with Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), enabling WD’s Sarawak operations to achieve a 100 per cent reduction in Scope 2 emissions through hydropower-backed electricity from Sarawak’s renewable energy grid.
The agreement is part of Sarawak’s broader strategy to position itself as a net-negative emissions economy while continuing to attract high-value industrial investment.
In his speech, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state’s net-zero ambition is not about limiting growth, but transforming how development takes place.
“My vision to net zero is not about slowing development. It is about changing how we grow through cleaner energy, more efficient industries, innovation, technology, and responsible management of our natural resources,” he said.
He said this when officiating at the official launch of Western Digital (WD) Sarawak themed ‘New Horizons for WD Sarawak: Advancing AI Innovations & Powering Growth’ here today.
He also said Sarawak continues to invest heavily in renewable energy, hydrogen development, carbon management and sustainable industrial growth, with Bintulu identified by the World Economic Forum as an emerging ‘Transitioning Industrial Cluster’ linking industry, technology and government in a coordinated shift towards low-carbon manufacturing.
When met by reporters later, he said the company’s long-term presence reflects confidence in Sarawak’s industrial ecosystem and energy advantages.
“Western Digital has been with us for a long time in the high-technology industry, particularly in data storage. In the past, we had what was known in technology as disk storage. Now things have changed, and Western Digital is producing the latest data storage solutions,” he said.
He added that Sarawak’s renewable energy base and water resources provide strategic advantages for advanced manufacturing, including WD’s new glass substrate facility, which produces next-generation storage components designed for high-temperature resilience and AI-driven data demand.
“We are grateful because they have confidence in Sarawak. We have two advantages here. One is our green renewable energy, and the other is water,” he said.
He also noted that data is becoming increasingly valuable in the global economy.
“In the future, data will be more valuable than oil. This is the oil of future development,” he added.
The REC agreement is expected to support WD’s global sustainability targets, including 100 percent carbon-free energy by FY2030 and net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by FY2032, while reinforcing Sarawak’s ambition to become a regional leader in green industrial development and next-generation AI-enabled manufacturing.
