@Green January/February 2023 | Page 18

18 INDUSTRY

@ green | JANUARY-FEBRUARY , 2023

Sarawak offers investors carbon capture , storage facilities

THE State was first in Malaysia to regulate carbon storage and reducing carbon emissions with amendments to the State Land Code

Sarawak has the potential to provide carbon capture and storage ( CCS ) investment opportunities to global investors , said Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan .
He said CCS projects were important in the decarbonisation efforts being undertaken by governments all over the world .
The Minister for International Trade , Industry and Investment ( Mintred ) and Second Minister for Natural
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan .
Resources and Urban Development revealed Japan Exploration Corporation Ltd ( Japex ) was among those exploring CCS projects in Sarawak .
“( I hope ) the company can also work together with Petroleum Sarawak Berhad ( Petros ) in the project ,” he said when meeting with Japex senior management recently during his official visit to Tokyo , Japan .
Among those in Awang Tengah ’ s entourage were Deputy Minister for International Trade , Industry and Investment Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh , Mintred Sarawak advisor Datuk Mohd Naroden Majais , Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development permanent secretary Datu Zaidi Mahdi , Land and Survey Department Sarawak director Datu Abdullah Julaihi , Mintred acting permanent secretary Dzulkornain Masron , Mintred special functions officer Datu Liaw Soon Eng , Regional Corridor Development Authority ( Recoda ) chief executive officer Datu Ismawi Ismuni , Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation general manager Datu Hashim Bojet , Petroleum Sarawak Berhad senior vice president ( corporate strategy ) Abang Arabi Abang Narudin , and Recoda director of investment Lester Matthew .
In May , Sarawak became the first in Malaysia to have legislation regulating carbon storage and reducing carbon emissions with amendments to the State Land Code .

Sarawak Energy awarded grant from USTDA to facilitate digital transformation

SARAWAK Energy Berhad has been awarded a US $ 1m grant from the US Trade and Development Agency ( USTDA ) for a technical study to enhance its digital transformation strategic roadmap , pushing the company closer towards its aim of becoming a sustainable digital utility by 2025 and beyond .
Under this partnership , USTDA will assess the current status of Sarawak Energy ’ s digital landscape and support the company ’ s strategic roadmap to enable the adoption of smart grid and digital power plant technologies , enhance efficiency , increase cyber security as well as meet growing connectivity commitment and service reliability requirements to drive sustainable economic growth in Malaysia .
This collaboration will also boost Sarawak Energy ’ s efforts to meet the State and the region ’ s need for reliable , renewable and affordable energy as the utility advances towards its goal of becoming a regional powerhouse .
Non-profit energy research and development institute Electric Power Research Institute ( EPRI ) has been selected by Sarawak Energy to carry out the technical study .
The agreements for the grant and technical study were signed at a ceremony held at the 5th Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Tokyo , Japan on Jan 12 , 2023 .
Signing on behalf of Sarawak Energy was Group CEO Datu Sharbini Suhaili , while the USTDA was represented by its Director , Enoh T . Ebong . EPRI International President Tom TerBush represented EPRI .
“ Sarawak Energy expresses gratitude to USTDA for this new partnership and welcomes EPRI ’ s technical support ,” said Sharbini .
“ Sarawak Energy is confident that USTDA ’ s assistance and EPRI ’ s guid-
Representatives from Sarawak Energy , USTDA and EPRI posing for a group photo at the signing ceremony held at the 5th Indo- Pacific Business Forum in Tokyo . Seated L-R : USTDA director Enoh T . Ebong , Sarawak Energy Group CEO Datu Sharbini Suhaili and EPRI International president Tom TerBush . Standing L-R : USTDA Senior Country Representative for Malaysia Murni Ali , USTDA Manager for Indo-Pacific ( Healthcare and Smart Grid ) Brent Harrison , USTDA Regional Director for Indo-Pacific Verinda Fike , Sarawak Energy Digital Innovation and Technology Manager Michelle Fam Chui Sze , Sarawak Energy Group CEO Office Executive Advisor Abang Hudini Abang Kashim , EPRI Regional Manager for Southeast Asia and India Paul Pickering .
ance will bring successful outcomes and sustainable growth .
“ Digitalised management of our utility will further enable Sarawak Energy ’ s already robust renewable energy resources and forward-thinking approach to adopt technology and rapidly modernise our grid and power plants through advanced integrated digital solutions .”
Commenting on the partnership , Enoh T . Ebong said : “ Around the world , we have seen the transformative impact of digital infrastructure on achieving ambitious clean energy , energy efficiency , and other climaterelated goals .
“ Our partnership with Sarawak Energy is intended to support their vision of sustainable growth by meeting
the region ’ s need for reliable , renewable energy . At the same time , we see opportunities to mobilise US technical innovation in support of their goals .”
On the technical study , EPRI President and CEO Arshad Mansoor , said : “ EPRI is pleased to assist Sarawak in the modernising of its grid , as this fits with our society-based mission to ensure the public has clean , safe , reliable , affordable , and equitable access to electricity across the globe .
“ USTDA ’ s investment could catalyse further cooperation between Malaysia and the US private sector to advance sustainable economic development and the clean energy transition ”. – @ Green