KUCHING: The federal government and the Sarawak government are expected to collaborate in the areas of green energy.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that the state possesses an abundance of sources, including hydro power through dams and building cascading dams, floating solar, biomass pellets, the power-to-gas-to-power (P2G2P) concept, and wind for renewable energy.
“I have discussed with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and emphasised our strength in terms of energy and the potential to develop it. So, I told the Prime Minister, why not develop this energy and we share it by selling it? God willing, the Prime Minister seems to agree with my proposal,” he said after announcing the Amanah Saham Sarawak (ASSAR) interim dividend distribution at the Hikmah Exchange Event Centre here today (Jan 5).
Abang Johari, who also serves as the Energy and Environmental Sustainability Minister, explained that firstly, building dams would not negatively impact the environment because the state is exploring cascading dams, which utilise running water from the river to generate power.
“Our potential could reach around 18 to 20 gigawatts (GW) of power if things go as planned,” he said.
Secondly, he said that the state is installing floating solar panels to generate power and is also exploring solar installations on land.
“The sun rays are becoming more intense due to changes in environmental elements, like our thinning ozone layer. When it thins, the heat intensifies. To protect against this, using zinc is good, but incorporating solar panels is a creative solution,” he said.
Thirdly, from a biomass perspective, he noted that the state has explored wood pellets that can produce energy.
“Fourthly, there is a new concept called P2G2P. It means using either solar or hydro energy to produce hydrogen. Fifth, we have wind energy. So, we have identified these five sources. And when you look back at the industrial revolution from coal to oil, everything revolved around energy,” he said.
He added that by selling the energy source to those outside the country, it could also enable the state to generate additional income.
“We hope to accomplish this, and it means that investments will come in, and energy will be available,” he said.
Abang Johari also added that all eyes are on Sarawak now, as the state could become a primary player in the field of green energy.
Among those present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas; Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Abu Bakar Marzuki; Amanah Saham Sarawak Berhad (ASSB) Board of Directors (Independent) and Sarawak Attorney-General (SAG) Datuk Saferi Ali; and ASSB Board of Directors (Non-Independent) and Deputy State Financial Secretary Hasmawati Sapawi.
