STOCKHOLM: The Sarawak government is looking towards Sweden’s proven waste-to-energy (WTE) management policy for an effective solution to the state’s waste disposal system.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said such initiatives are very significant in the search for a more sustainable solution to waste management in Sarawak.
He noted that Sweden’s efficient solid waste management policy had proven successful in generating energy from solid waste compared to other European countries.
“I am very interested in the country’s capabilities in the WTE industry, where Sarawak also possesses similar resources, so we also have the ability to emulate Sweden’s solid waste management methods.
“It should be noted that Sarawak with a population of about 2.3 million people is the largest state in Malaysia and has various renewable energy sources.
“Thus, to ensure the future wellbeing of the people, now is the right time for the state government to take steps to strengthen its solid waste management system by generating new energy through WTE,” he said.
Abang Johari was leading the Sarawak delegation to the Swedish Energy Agency (SEA) here yesterday (Aug 22).
Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Malaysian Ambassador to Sweden Hafizah Abdullah, State Secretary Datuk Amar Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, State Attorney General Datuk Seri Talat Mahmood Abdul Rashid and State Financial Secretary Datuk Seri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar.
In another development, Abang Johari expressed interest in Sweden’s cross-border electricity grid system that exports energy to neighbouring countries like Denmark, Norway, Finland, Germany, Lithuania and Poland.
He made it clear that Sarawak also has a similar potential like Sweden by exporting electricity to Kalimantan and Indonesia.
Earlier, the Premier and his entourage were briefed by Paul Westin from the Swedish Energy Agency.
Abang Johari later paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development of Sweden Johan Forssell.
He is expected to proceed to Norway to gain insights into the development and operation of onshore carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen facilities in Bergen, and is scheduled to meet with officials of the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and hold discussions with industry players in Norway on CCS, net-zero emissions, and decarbonisation initiatives.
He will then fly to London to cap off the week-long visit with a meeting with Shell’s top officials at the multinational’s headquarters in the British capital.
