KUCHING: Sarawak is exploring the possibility of constructing cascading dams to improve its electricity generation capacity, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said the dams will be designed based on the models used in Tasmania, the Nordic countries and the River Danube in Europe.
To strengthen the region’s energy security using renewable and sustainable resources, he added that Sarawak is looking into utilising wood pellets for biomass energy production, following a similar approach used in the United Kingdom, with the largest wood pellet station there producing 2,500 megawatt of energy.
“Since Sarawak has a lot of degraded forests, we have a programme where we replant our forest with fast growing trees.
“This will be the feedstock for wood pellet and other biomass. This is something new, excluding the one that I have mentioned of 20,000 megawatt, meaning that Sarawak has the potential to produce more than 20,000 megawatt of renewable energy,” he said.
Abang Johari was speaking at the Sustainability and Renewable Energy Forum (SAREF 3.0) powered by Sarawak Energy at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching here Wednesday (Sept 6).
He said a study commissioned in the 1960s revealed 20,000 megawatt of identified hydro potential in Sarawak.
However, he said further studies indicate that there are 12 prospective hydropower sites with a potential of 8,000 megawatt – ensuring an abundant supply of reliable and renewable energy for the future to meet domestic and export demand.
With the Murum, Bakun and Batang Ai dams which have been developed, totalling almost 3,500 megawatt of renewable energy, Abang Johari said a fourth 1,285 megawatt hydroelectric project in Baleh is currently under construction and scheduled for completion towards the end of this decade.
He said these plants are vital in the effort to build a modern power system and State Power Grid for Sarawak.
