IN an exclusive interview with news portal Nikkei Asia at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition Conference (ADIPEC) 2024 team, Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg shared his vision for Sarawak’s role as a leader in renewable energy and sustainable development.
In a time when the global energy sector is rapidly evolving, Sarawak is taking bold steps to position itself at the forefront of green energy in Southeast Asia.
During the interview, the Premier emphasised the importance of partnerships and innovation in driving Sarawak’s energy strategy.
With vast hydro resources and innovative projects like floating solar installations, Sarawak is not only meeting its own energy needs but also creating a surplus that can be shared with neighbouring regions.
The Premier also discussed the goal of establishing Sarawak as a central player in the ASEAN power grid, thus enhancing energy integration and sustainability across the region.
With Malaysia set to assume the ASEAN chairmanship, Sarawak is uniquely positioned to drive impactful change in Southeast Asia’s renewable energy landscape.
Through a blend of innovative technology and international collaboration, Sarawak aims to demonstrate how a resource-rich region can lead the transition to a sustainable energy future, setting an example for collective climate action and responsible development.expanding renewables and cutting emissions, Sarawak compiles data for informed policy decisions. Raising awareness, it sets protocols for energy sector governance.
Aligning with global standards, it promotes responsible energy practices. Ultimately, the initiative develops an optimal energy mix for sustainability.
Sarawak Energy has become the first organisation from Southeast Asia to sign on as a global Patron with the World Energy Council. What does this mean for Sarawak, and how will it impact energy development across the region?
As a global patron, we access insights on energy trends and climate change. Through ASEAN, we engage internationally for our energy role.
Essential for expanding renewables and cutting emissions, Sarawak compiles data for informed policy decisions. Raising awareness, it sets protocols for energy sector governance.
Aligning with global standards, it promotes responsible energy practices. Ultimately, the initiative develops an optimal energy mix for sustainability.
How crucial is clean energy and sustainability to Sarawak?
Currently, we generate 70 per cent of our energy from hydropower and 30 per cent from other sources. For over 20 years, we have been developing our clean energy infrastructure, especially in hydropower, which aligns well with our geographic advantage due to our rivers.
This clean energy benefits not only Sarawak but also our neighbours, as we share electricity through the Borneo grid with Indonesia, Brunei, and other parts of Kalimantan.
How is this international collaboration progressing? Given Sarawak’s renewable energy focus, are you exploring further partnerships especially with Malaysia set to chair ASEAN?
Yes, we are commencing our collaboration with Indonesia. Our initial venture involves a project in North Kalimantan aimed at providing power to Nusantara, Indonesia’s new capital, with further intentions to expand to other regions within the country. Moreover, we have been actively supplying electricity to West Kalimantan for the past four years.
Our forthcoming goal is to extend power provision to Brunei Darussalam, followed by Singapore. Notably, Singapore has expressed interest in sourcing clean energy from us, with an agreement to supply up to one gigawatt.
The primary hurdle at present involves establishing an undersea cable connecting Sarawak and Singapore, a crucial link for this cooperation to materialise. This partnership will ultimately create connections with Indonesia, Singapore, and Peninsular Malaysia, fortifying regional energy relationships.
Considering Johor’s recent relaxation of regulations to support data centres, does Sarawak see clean energy as a way to support Singapore’s AI and data centre needs?
There is an established economic zone between Johor and Singapore, and they have engaged us in discussions about supplying power to Johor. This would primarily involve solar energy, although it does present some consistency challenges. We are exploring the best ways to support Johor, and Peninsular Malaysia as a whole,with a stable supply of clean energy.
The economic benefits of this clean energy push by Sarawak must be quite beneficial. How much is this going to add to economic growth in Sarawak?
Well, we need to develop a comprehensive and longterm plan for renewable energy production. Currently, our focus is on hydroelectric power, and our next step is to expand into solar energy.
We are collaborating with partners, including Abu Dhabi, to utilise solar power through floating solar installations on our hydro dams.
This joint effort between Abu Dhabi, Masdar, Sarawak Energy, and Gentari, aims to generate up to one gigawatt of solar energy. This achievement would be a breakthrough, considering that the largest floating solar project to date is approximately 600 megawatts in China.
Attaining one gigawatt would not only establish a new benchmark but also significantly enhance our solar power supply.
How do you view the interconnectedness between Southeast Asia and partners in the Middle East, like the UAE and Saudi Arabia?
Success in this area depends on multilateral arrangements between Middle Eastern countries and ASEAN. I believe effective cooperation can be achieved through foundational policies that align the interests of governments in both regions. Currently, Sarawak is collaborating with partners in Abu Dhabi, including Masdar and Mubadala.
The response so far has been very positive, suggesting strong potential for continued progress in this direction.
With Malaysia chairing ASEAN, do you see this as an opportunity to promote regional energy policies?
Absolutely. I believe the priority is developing an ASEAN power grid, where Malaysia together with Sarawak can play a central role alongside other ASEAN nations, such as Laos and Thailand.
Establishing this grid will enable us to share and supply power across the region, ensuring a stable and interconnected energy network.
Geopolitically, there’s a lot happening. How do you assess the impact of global events like the recent United States (US) election on Sarawak’s energy strategy? Our position is clear.
When considering Donald Trump’s policies from his first administration, we recognise that much has changed over the past four years. With this new administration, I believe the US will work to align with pressing global issues, particularly climate change. However, it’s still premature to predict the specifics of Trump’s current policies, so we’ll need to observe developments in the coming months.
How important is energy security for Sarawak and ASEAN?
Climate change is a critically important issue globally, and for Malaysia, especially Sarawak, it’s essential that we leverage our strengths to address it. This requires not only advanced technology but also a thorough understanding of energy demand.
Effective technological advancements are necessary to meet these demands sustainably. For instance, producing hydrogen involves splitting water molecules, which requires innovative technology and fuel cells.
Ensuring a balanced hydrogen is key, and I believe this is the future direction we must pursue.
Sarawak has developed substantial hydropower projects, such as Bakun and Murum dams. What are the future plans for hydropower?
The approach to hydropower production can vary.
have dispatched a team to Australia to delve into pump hydro mechanics, enabling us to delve into sustainable hydropower production methods through this innovative approach.
Malaysia has expressed interest in joining BRICS (an informal group of states comprising the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa). What potential do you see for Sarawak within BRICS partnerships?
We need to coordinate closely with our federal government to align with the direction it sets. Consistency between our national policies and our approach to BRICS participation is essential. Currently, we are a partner rather than a full member of BRICS, so we will continue to observe and adapt our approach as the situation develops.
Sarawak’s renewable energy profile is impressive, but how environmentally clean are these projects?
By 2030, our target is to produce 10 gigawatts, which is well above our domestic needs, creating a surplus that can be shared with our partners.
By 2035, we hope to increase this capacity to 15 gigawatts, enabling us to provide the right power mix for our neighbours as well. In other words, we need a firm policy that guides us toward 2035, and we’re already on that path. We will see how things develop along the way.
How are you engaging local communities in these projects to ensure a just and inclusive transition?
Our Post-COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 includes inclusivity as one of its pillars. We aim to involve local communities to ensure they benefit directly from energy development, creating opportunities for all.
What are three priority areas for Sarawak Energy moving forward?
I have directed Sarawak Energy to explore the latest technologies and global trends in governance. This alignment is crucial to ensure that our operations support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By adhering to international protocols on energy management, we can establish a sustainable energy production process.
With COP29 approaching, what message would you share about the importance of global collaboration?
I see this as a continuation of COP28 in Dubai, where there were significant discussions between fossil-fuel-producing and nonfossil-fuel-producing countries. I hope they can reach a compromise to advance green energy on a global scale. At COP28, which I attended, a major question was around financing—who will fund these new technologies, especially given the inherent risks? I hope the international community can establish a framework for financing these projects. While there are risks, a wellanalysed approach could yield positive outcomes for the world
