KUCHING: Sarawak has welcomed cooperation from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and China, with both countries expressing strong interest in investing in the state’s solar power initiatives.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said each country is willing to invest 10 billion USD.
“The combined investment is expected to enable the production of at least three gigawatts (GW) of solar power,” he said.
He said this during Natural Resources and Environment Board (NREB) 30th anniversary dinner held at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) last night (July 26).
Abang Johari, who is also the Natural Resources and Urban Development Minister, said that Sarawak’s vast network of river systems has given an advantage for the state to be a leader in renewable energy.
“Our hydropower potential is immense with projects such as Bakun and Murum Dams already contributing significantly to our power needs and export capabilities,” he said.
He added the installation of the 50 megawatt floating solar farm at Batang Ai for production of solar energy has enhanced the hydropower dam for renewable energy.
“Then there is another proposal to have solar power in Bario, Baram. That will be something new and it is on an elevated solar panel. In other words, the area under the solar panel can be useful for agriculture, a concept known as agro voltaics,” he said.
Sarawak, he said, is committed to becoming a leader in renewable energy, aiming to be recognised as ‘Green Sarawak’.
On a related note, he said the state is committed to global effort in tackling climate change and has pledged to reduce greenhouse gases emissions intensity to achieve Net Zero by 2050.
“The state government is serious in playing a role in combating climate change and promoting environmental sustainability.
“A clear indication of this commitment was through the passing of the Land (Carbon Storage) Rules 2022, and the Forest (Forest Carbon Activity) Rules 2022 which was approved on Dec 8, 2022.
“These regulations amongst others allows and empowers the state government to regulate forest carbon activities, including carbon stocks within the forest ecosystems by issuance of forest carbon licences as well as regulate the usage of land for the purposes of storage of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases through the issuance of licence for carbon storage,” he said.
He added that to safeguard Sarawak’s environment by implementing strategies to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, it has enacted the Environment (Reduction Of Greenhouse Gases Emission) Ordinance, 2023 which was passed on Nov 20, 2023.
“The enactment of these laws has shown the state government leading the way by introducing legislation concerning climate change even before Parliament or any other state legislature in Malaysia.
“These legislations are the legislative actions taken by us to save and protect mother nature and at the same time create an additional source of revenue for Sarawak,” said Abang Johari.
