Tan Sri Johari ( 2nd left ) with IHA President Malcolm Turnbull ( 3rd left ) and Indonesian President Jokowi Widodo ( 4th left ).

As a result of investments in hydropower , Sarawak is now nearly fully electrified ( up from 79 per cent in 2009 ), and its power grid ’ s carbon emission intensity was lowered by 73 per cent between 2010 and 2021 .

The State has gone from 100 per cent fossil fuel during the 1980s to primarily renewable hydropower in its generation mix today .

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg praised the International Hydropower Association ( IHA ) as a reliable ally in the State ’ s pursuit of hydropower .

Ten years ago , Kuching hosted the inaugural World Hydropower Congress ( WHC ) in Southeast Asia .

“ Sarawak is blessed with abundant natural resources . Studies indicated that we have at least 8,000MW of hydropower at high potential sites , of which we have already harnessed 3,452MW through three large dams ,” said Abang Johari .

“ It also meant we can offer the most competitive unsubsidised power tariffs in Southeast Asia , and bulk power customers have made significant investments in Sarawak .

“ We are now building a fourth dam , which will add 1,285MW of renewable hydropower to the existing capacity before

the end of this decade to meet strong demands from domestic and export customers .”

REGIONAL INTERCONNECTIVITY

The premier also noted that Sarawak pioneered using renewable energy sources like water , solar , and wind power . Sarawak Energy was planning to test out a 50MW pilot floating solar farm in the Batang Ai HEP reservoir , using the complementary nature of solar and hydropower .

Once operational in 2024 , it is expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by about 52 kilo tonnes .

To further demonstrate its dedication to cutting carbon emissions , embracing clean energy solutions , and launching Sarawak into a more environmentally responsible era , the State is also beginning production of green ammonia , green methanol , and green hydrogen through two separate ventures with Japanese and Korean investors in partnership with the Sarawak Economic Development Corporation ( SEDC ), with commercial production scheduled for 2028 .

“ We are strong advocates for regional cooperation and the development of the ASEAN Power Grid .

“ Sarawak ’ s first power exchange with our partners PLN in West Kalimantan in 2016 has demonstrated the shared benefits of interconnection , paving the way for other bilateral interconnection projects to advance the Borneo Grid .

“ In 2021 , we signed a Power Exchange Agreement with Sabah Electricity that will trigger power export to our Malaysian neighbour by mid-2024 .

“ We are also working on a power exchange agreement with Brunei for electricity export .”

Sarawak uses this foundation to build the 1,375MW Mentarang Induk Hydroelectric Project ( MIHEP ) in North Kalimantan with its strong Indonesian partners , Adaro and Kayan Patria Pratama .

Indonesian President Jokowi Widodo attended MIHEP ’ s historic groundbreaking ceremony on Mar 1 this year .

This multibillion-dollar endeavour is a group effort to power Indonesia ’ s Green Industrial Park in North Kalimantan with

renewable energy that is both cheap and sustainable .

The foundation has been laid for MIHEP , and the first power is expected to be generated by the end of this decade .

ENERGY SECURITY AND RESILIENCE

Sustainable hydropower projects like MIHEP , which are guided by the International Hydropower Association ’ s sustainability standards , offer a comprehensive solution to some of the world ’ s most pressing problems .

These include the need to switch to cleaner energy production , promote social and economic growth , enhance water resource management , reduce climate change ’ s negative effects , and protect endangered ecosystems .

Sarawak is also moving beyond the Borneo Power Grid as part of the broader ASEAN Power Grid .

Comprehensive technical investigations have been completed by Sarawak Energy and their partners Sembcorp lndustries and Singapore Power Group , and commercial negotiations for a prospective interconnection with Singapore are well advanced .

“ With the blessing of Malaysia ’ s Prime Minister ( Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim ) for our direct connection to Singapore as agreed in the bilateral meeting between Malaysia and Singapore in October ; in the positive spirit of ASEAN and with full respect for Indonesia ’ s sovereignty and interests , we will soon commence formal discussions with Indonesia as the proposed undersea interconnection project will run through Indonesian waters .

“ Interconnections are one of the key mechanisms to achieve shared regional sustainability goals in this region , with hydropower as the key renewable energy generation resource that will accelerate the ASEAN Power Grid .

“ Sarawak is proud to play our role by spearheading a shared grid in Borneo and working with Indonesia and Singapore to progress the ASEAN Power Grid .” – @ Green