SARAWAK will prioritise energy allocation for domestic use, with plans to double clean electricity generation to 10 gigawatts (GW) by 2030.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg also said that competitive energy rates will be offered to investors and only excess energy will be exported to Brunei, Indonesia and Singapore.
“The development of cross-border transmission infrastructure will ensure grid stability in the ASEAN region and enable Sarawak to recoup its energy investment costs.
“Sarawak’s new energy strategy includes constructing cascading power sources along rivers to generate electricity, minimising the need for large-scale land inundation. Sarawak is also set to explore wave energy generation at Tanjung Kidurong in Bintulu, potentially becoming one of the first locations globally to harness ocean kinetic energy.
“I wish to inform the august House that the development of energy based on environmentally friendly cascading power sources not only generates renewable energy but also provides additional economic returns to the local population,” he said in his winding-up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) session on Wednesday..
Abang Johari related that during his visit to the Drax Power Station in the United Kingdom, which transitioned from coal to biomass, he had gained insights which could be applied in Sarawak.
He added that plans are in place to convert coal power plants to biomass, using wood pellets derived from timber by-products. This sustainable approach aligns with Sarawak’s goal of balancing economic utilisation with environmental conservation.
Embracing advanced biomass technologies promises substantial long-term benefits and fosters a circular economy, with surplus energy directed to various economic sectors and sold at premium rates.
