@ green | July-August , 2021

Sarawak Energy adopts hydropower sustainability assessment protocol

The all-Sarawakian team of assessors will be responsible for assessing and improving the sustainability performance of Sarawak Energy ’ s hydropower projects and plants . Eleven ( 11 ) of the Provisional Accredited Assessors ( PAAs ) will also be involved in sustainability assessments for international projects undertaken by other developers under the supervision of an International Hydropower Association ( IHA ) Lead Assessor .

To date , two ( 2 ) of the Provisional Accredited Assessors have been involved in an official HSAP / HESG assessment for a hydropower plant in operation in Indonesia .

The new assessors received their certificates during a recent certificate handover ceremony done virtually .

Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer Datu Sharbini Suhaili said : “ We have come a long way in our journey from our early years as a small utility provider in 1921 to the commissioning of our first Batang Ai Hydroelectric Plant in 1985 .

“ Now , as Malaysia ’ s largest renewable energy developer with our own team of HSAP and HESG assessors . This was realised through a structured and programmatic approach towards meeting Sarawak and the region ’ s need for a sustainable energy future .”

The company now has 11 Provisional Accredited Assessors and 18 internal assessors under the international HSAP and HESG . In 2014 , Sarawak Energy established an internal HSAP Assessment Team to intensify the company ’ s efforts to incorporate sustainability practices into its hydropower development and operation process . The team has since grown in number from 18 to 33 assessors .

Sarawak Energy is Malaysia ’ s largest renewable energy developer and provider with a stable of three large hydropower plants and the Baleh Hydroelectric Project currently under construction .

Part of the Sarawak Energy ’ s in-house team of newly appointed HSAP and HESG assessors .

Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer Datu Haji Sharbini Suhaili .

Sharbini congratulated all 29 HSAP / HESG assessors on their official appointments and expressed his confidence that the team would further enhance Sarawak Energy ’ s hydropower sustainability performance .

“ Our in-house assessors can help us proactively manage our risks and ensure we continue to comply with international good and best practices , financing requirements and meet shifting generational and stakeholder expectations as we establish ourselves as a renewable hydropower specialist with a regional ambition ,” he added .

Regional powerhouse vision

Sarawak ’ s shift to a predominantly renewable generation mix has enabled Sarawakians to enjoy the lowest average unsubsidised power tariffs in Malaysia . It is also among the most competitive in Southeast Asia . It also decarbonises Sarawak ’ s power system by 68 per cent since 2010 in alignment with Sarawak Energy ’ s pledge to

The 108MW Batang Ai Hydroelectric Plant .

the United Nations “ Business Ambition for 1.5 ° Celsius ” and contribution to Malaysia ’ s commitments to Nationally Determined Contributions ( NDCs ) and Paris Agreement .

Head of Sustainability Mohamad Irwan Aman said : “ We are one of the early adopters of the guidelines in the IHA ’ s HSAP to ensure our hydropower projects are developed and operated in line with international standards and best practices .

“ Our aim is to embed sustainability best practices in our hydropower development and operation aligned with Sarawak Energy ’ s vision to become the regional powerhouse and hydropower specialist .”

Both trainings ( Provisional Accredited Assessor and Certified User ) are conducted under the Hydropower Sustainability Training Academy of the IHA – an extensive and active hydropower global network created under the auspices of the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organisation ( UNESCO ) in 1995 as the voice of sustainable hydropower . The IHA forms part of Sarawak Energy ’ s HSAP and HESG Assessment Team .

“ Sarawak Energy has been a member and sustainability partner of the IHA since 2010 . We are committed to incorporate Environmental , Social and Governance in our decision making and performance strategy outlining growth opportunities and related risks to create sustainable long-term value creation ,” Irwan said . – @ green

WITH Sarawak ’ s substantial hydro resources now included in the Renewable Energy ( RE ), Malaysia can increase its national RE capacity mix objective from 20 per cent to 31 per cent by 2025 .

Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom , Sarawak ’ s Utilities Minister , stated that Sarawak contributes 3,452MW of RE from its major hydropower facilities out of Malaysia ’ s total large hydro generating capacity 5,684MW .

Sarawak Energy , the State ’ s energy developer and power utility , operates the Batang Ai HEP ( 108MW ), Bakun HEP ( 2,400MW ), and Murum HEP ( 944MW ).

“ Sarawak is completely dedicated to supporting and contributing to Malaysia ’ s Paris Agreement commitments by assisting the government in meeting its Nationally Determined Contributions ( NDCs ) to reduce carbon emissions ,” said Stephen recently , according to Dayak Daily .

“ As Minister for Utilities , I am glad that Sarawak ’ s vast hydro resources are now included in Malaysia ’ s RE definition .

“ By doing so , the federal government may strengthen Malaysia ’ s Conference of Parties ( COP21 ) commitment by raising the national RE capacity mix objective from 20 to 31 per cent by 2025 .”

Stephen further stated Sarawak ’ s renewable energy generation capacity would be increased by the 1285MW Baleh Hydropower Project , which is set to be completed in 2026 .

“ This will eventually be counted in Malaysia ’ s renewable energy target of 31 per cent of RE capacity by 2025 , with a ramp-up to 40 per cent by 2035 ,” he added .

Sarawak is reaping environmental benefits in addition to job creation and increased electrification coverage . It has decarbonised its power system by reducing grid carbon emission intensity by 68 per cent since 2010 .

Sarawak issued its first Renewable Energy Certificate ( REC ) in 2019 , allowing corporations to purchase renewable energy generated in the State .

Stephen added under the Ministry , renewable energy sources , particularly solar and mini-hydro , are harnessed to supply remote rural communities via a stand-alone off-grid system . This is through the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme ( SARES ) for smaller and dispersed rural communities and the Hybrid Scheme for larger remote communities such as Bario and Long Banga .

“ The entire installed capacity of these offgrid renewable systems of roughly 20 MW has benefited the State ’ s rural populations , which now have 24-hour supply ,” he said .

Aside from harnessing the State ’ s huge hydro resources , the Nett Energy Metering ( NEM ) programme for home , small commercial , and industrial consumers in Sarawak is an initiative classified within the RE sector .

Sarawak now has 25 projects ( mostly education centres ) totalling 570kWp of rooftop solar with NEM mechanism .

“ NEM has been identified as a programme to be rolled out as part of the RE initiative to encourage customers to participate in generating green energy for self-use through the State ’ s 12th Malaysia Plan ( 12MP ) from 2021-2025 . The goal of this programme is to reach 150MW of renewable power under NEM by 2030 ,” he emphasised . – @ green