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Sarawak Energy, Malaysia’s foremost renewable energy developer and provider, adopts a comprehensive approach to energy development, addressing the energy trilemma by balancing energy security, sustainability, and affordability. This strategy propels socio-economic transformation and fuels the state’s growth through the development of renewable hydropower.
Operating under the regulatory oversight of the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak, and the Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Sarawak (MEESty), Sarawak Energy, wholly owned by the state government, delivers predominantly renewable energy to customers at competitive rates, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 7 ‘Affordable and Clean Energy for All’ well ahead of the 2030 target.
Sarawak’s energy generation primarily relies on renewable hydropower supplemented by indigenous coal and gas generation for supply security. The company boasts an available generation capacity of 5,675MW, predominantly from hydroelectric plants (HEP), complemented by thermal plants. To ensure reliable and uninterrupted power delivery, Sarawak Energy has made significant investments in transmission and distribution infrastructure, including the RM2.7 billion 500kV backbone, bolstering the state’s transmission grid capacity and reliability.
Further strengthening the state’s power system, the ongoing construction of the Northern Grid transmission lines will enhance transmission security and capacity, particularly catering to the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) and its industrial customers.
Hydropower plays a crucial role in Sarawak’s sustainable development, providing clean, affordable energy and driving socio-economic progress. With potential reserves of 20,000MW of hydropower, Sarawak Energy has harnessed 3,452MW through projects like Batang Ai, Bakun, and Murum hydropower plants. These projects not only meet energy demands but also contribute to local community development.
Sarawak Energy is committed to expanding its hydropower capacity with projects like the Baleh Hydroelectric Project, aiming to increase total capacity to 4,737MW by the end of the decade. Additionally, initiatives like micro-hydro projects aim to provide off-grid communities with sustainable energy solutions.
Embracing international best practices, Sarawak Energy ensures sustainability across technical, economic, social, and environmental aspects. The company also explores alternative renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, with plans to install 300MW of large-scale solar by 2030.
In alignment with green energy adoption, Sarawak Government’s initiatives like the Net Energy Metering (NEM) scheme promote renewable energy usage at the consumer level. Despite ambitious plans for solar energy, large hydropower remains economically viable and essential for meeting commercial and industrial demands.
Sarawak Energy’s commitment to renewable energy underscores its dedication to a sustainable energy future, contributing to global net-zero targets and setting a precedent for sustainable energy development in Southeast Asia. |
