July-August, 2020 | @green
industry
05
Batang Ai HEP.
Bakun HEP.
Menara Sarawak Energy.
formally embedded in Sarawak Energy’s project development
process focusing on social and environmental aspects.
Where the relocation of communities is required,
Sarawak Energy works closely with affected peoples and
in consultation with the authorities and the relevant field
experts which include those from the non-governmental
organisations.
“We subscribe to these international good practices to
ensure the responsible development of our hydropower
portfolio from safety aspects right up to our social obligation
to the local communities.
“Murum Hep was commissioned in 2014 and we
continue with our social investments and partnerships
with the resettled community focussing on literacy and
education, sustainable livelihood and cultural preservation,”
said Sharbini.
Sarawak’s first venture into hydropower began in the
1980s with the construction of its first hydropower plant,
Batang Ai. It built the foundation for Sarawak in terms
of knowledge and experience in designing, building and
operating hydroelectric plants.
Exports up to 230MW of power
Sarawak Energy also exports up to 230MW of power to
West Kalimantan after working with Indonesian power
utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara to establish an interconnection
in 2016. More cross-border connectivity within
Borneo is on the horizon – Sarawak Energy would like to
see a Borneo Power Grid materialise.
“By building up our generation capacity, we can meet
our own organic and SCOre demand and export power to
Kalimantan, Indonesia as an additional revenue stream,”
he explained.
Other countries that have successfully done this include
Norway and Canada. The company is also working with
a local Indonesian holding company on potential hydropower
development in Kalimantan Utara.
Sarawak Energy has a growing reputation and support
as a responsible hydropower developer resulting in
its acceptance into the global hydropower community.
Sharbini is an elected Board Member of the International
Hydropower Association (IHA).
This support was further displayed at the inaugural
Sustainability and Renewable Energy Forum or SareF in
December 2019 held in Kuching.
The event drew international and national energy
thought leaders to discuss sustainability and renewable
IT IS LIKE THIS: Sarawak
Energy Group CEO Sharbini
Suhaili (centre) speaking at
the Energy Leaders Forum
during SAREF 2019.
The Murum Penan community
now has permanent
longhouse-style housing with
24-hour electricity supply and
piped water.
energy topics in line with the United Nations Sustainability
Development Goals particularly on Goal No 7 - Affordable
and Clean Energy.
The event also provided a platform to recognise large
hydro as a renewable energy resource in Malaysia as
well as enabling businesses to deliver on decarbonisation
initiatives.
“It was highly-impactful and included decision-makers
from our counterparts such as Singapore Power and TNB.
We shared our story on hydropower, and the discussion
was focussed on how we can build a more sustainable
energy future,” he said.
“SareF also saw the launch of Sarawak’s first Renewable
Energy Certificate (REC) whereby each certificate
represents the environmental benefits of 1-megawatt hour
(1MWh) of renewable energy generated from our Batang
Ai hydroelectric plant.
With the International Renewable Energy Agency
(IRENA) projecting that hydropower is likely to remain the
world’s largest source of renewable electricity generation,
Sarawak looks set to deliver on a more sustainable energy
future for its people and neighbours, with strategies that
are best suited to Sarawak’s needs. — @green