BY AMYRA VARKISA
SIBU: Sarawak is exploring the potential of biomass pellet production as an addition to its renewable energy sources.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said renewable energy is often associated with hydro, solar and wind.
However, during his recent visit to a factory in Norway, he learned that they turn dust from timber waste into wood pellets.
“In London, England, they produced 2,500 megawatts of power from wood pellets. This means that what we do here is to replant our degraded forest areas with new fast-growing species, and that becomes a feedstock for pellet production to generate power as an additional source for our grid.
“If not, or if there is excess production, we can sell the wood pellets as an export item. In other words, we are no longer just cutting wood and selling it. Instead, we plant the trees, take the waste, and turn it into energy. Now, that is a new area of business,” he said.
He was speaking at the Sarawak Central Chiang Hsia Huang Clan Association’s 63rd anniversary celebration at a renowned hotel here last night (Sept 17).
Abang Johari stressed that by venturing into this new renewable energy field, Sarawak can replant its degraded forests with fast-growing trees, and these trees will produce oxygen.
“Therefore, (this prove that) we can create an environmental cycle by producing wood pellets which will become a renewable source of energy,” he said.
Among those present were Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Kuching Xing Weiping, Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Michael Tiang Ming Tee, Chief Political Secretary Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, Bawang Assan assemblyman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, Sibu Resident Wong Hie Sieng and Sarawak Central Chiang Hsia Huang Clan Association chairman Wong Ing Huong.
