SINGAPORE: Sarawak is committed to supporting Southeast Asia’s transition to renewable energy, leveraging its potential as the ‘battery of Asean’ by sharing its abundant renewable energy resources with neighbouring countries through the Asean and Borneo Power Grid connections.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg emphasised the importance of this effort in response to the rising regional demand for clean energy.
He said these initiatives aim to enhance cross-border energy exchanges, strengthen regional energy security, and accelerate the transition to cleaner energy sources.
“Looking ahead to the Asean Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2026–2030 period and with Malaysia assuming the Asean Chair in 2025, we are dedicated to deepening regional cooperation and fostering greater connectivity across our energy systems,” he said.
He said this in a keynote address at the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) 2024 on Monday (Oct 21).
Abang Johari added that Sarawak is actively collaborating with the federal government to advance the Asean Power Grid, with the establishment of a joint task force between Malaysia and Indonesia to expedite its development.
“By doing so, we can collectively drive meaningful progress towards a sustainable and resilient energy future for all Asean member states.
“We are not just focused on providing clean energy for our own development but also see commercial potential in exporting electricity,” he said.
Abang Johari pointed out that Sarawak’s partnerships with Indonesia, Sabah, Brunei, and Singapore could serve as a foundation for cross-border energy trade through groundbreaking projects like the Borneo-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines Interconnection.
He noted that since 2012, Sarawak has been working closely with Indonesia’s Perusahaan Listrik Negara in the Kalimantan region, marking a significant step towards regional energy collaboration in Borneo.
“Our initial efforts focused on providing electricity to remote communities along the Indonesia border through the Sarawak-West Kalimantan Grid Strengthening Project in 2016, which marked the first high-voltage grid connection between Sarawak and West Kalimantan,” he said.
Following this, Sarawak has advanced the monumental Mentarang Induk Hydroelectric Plant (MIHEP) in Indonesia, a project with the potential to reshape the energy landscape of the region.
In addition, Abang Johari expressed Sarawak’s interest in exploring the potential to connect hydropower resources from North Kalimantan across Borneo and beyond.
Beyond its collaboration with Indonesia, he mentioned that Sarawak also aims to expand its electricity exports to Sabah by 2025 and to Brunei between 2027 and 2030.
Also present were Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abg Hipni, Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, and Deputy State Secretary (Operations) Datu Hii Chang Kee.
