September-October , 2021 |
03 |
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COVER STORY
Artist Impression of the upcoming 1,285MW Baleh Hydropower Project .
structing the 1,285MW Baleh HEP , a concrete-faced rockfill dam with an elevation of 225m above sea level .
The renewable energy project , scheduled for completion in 2026 , is located on the Baleh River , about 105km upstream from its confluence with the Rejang River in Kapit .
“ Today , as a result of our renewable energy strategy and focus over the past 10 years and accelerated growth , we have decarbonised Sarawak ’ s power system by as much as 68 per cent from 2011 to 2019 and are on track to helping Sarawak to achieve its developed status by 2030 ,” he said .
It was also reported that Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had recently said environmental sustainability would be a critical factor in the State ’ s recovery effort and long-term growth .
This , he said , would pave the way for more investment inflow to Sarawak that will create solutions , more green jobs and business opportunities to drive the State ’ s economy sustainably .
Meeting the State ’ s need for reliable and renewable energy
Sarawak Energy harnesses its abundant natural resources to light up Sarawak and provide power for its growth .
Sarawak ’ s geographical location and terrain is perfect for hydropower solutions because of its high volume of rainfall and elevated topography .
“ These resources have enabled us to offer reliable and competitively priced electricity to our domestic , commercial , industrial and export customers .
“ We aspire to be a renewable energy powerhouse and the battery of ASEAN sharing our renewable , reliable , affordable , and sustainable hydropower resources with our neighbours and growing our expertise in sustainable hydropower project development ,” added Sharbini .
Sarawak had its first successful interconnection in 2016 when it began exporting energy to West Kalimantan in Indonesia through a 120km 275kV double circuit
We aspire to be a renewable energy powerhouse and the battery of ASEAN sharing our renewable , reliable , affordable , and sustainable hydropower resources with our neighbours and growing our expertise in sustainable hydropower project development .”
Sarawak ’ s geographical location is perfect for hydropower solutions due to the abundance of rain and elevated topography .
transmission line stretching from Mambong in Sarawak to Bengkayang , West Kalimantan .
In November 2020 , Sarawak Energy also signed a memorandum of understanding with PETRONAS to collaborate on green hydrogen commercial production to venture into energy export with hydrogen as an energy carrier .
This tie-up marked a significant milestone in Sarawak as it potentially positions the State as a critical hub for the hydrogen value chain .
In August , Sarawak and Sabah sealed a power supply deal when Sarawak Energy , through its subsidiary Syarikat SESCO Berhad , signed a Power Exchange Agreement and Interconnection Agreement with Sabah . The project is expected to commence end of 2023 .
Sabah will be importing an initial 30MW to 50MW for 15 years via a 31km 275kV double circuit transmission line with a maximum design capacity of 300MW , which will run from Lawas in Sarawak to Mengalong , Sipitang in Sabah .
“ We are on track to delivering on our ambition in transforming Sarawak Energy into a renewable energy powerhouse of Southeast Asia ,” he added .
The role of hydropower in a sustainable future
Sarawak Energy is one of the most established hydropower players in the region . Compared to other forms of energy generation , hydropower has an advantage in eliminating the cost of fuel and contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions .
It offers the lowest Levelised Cost of Energy or LCOE , giving Sarawak a sustainable and competitive advantage . It allows the State to transfer savings to domestic consumers and attract energy-intensive industries by offering competitive bulk power tariffs .
“ Hydropower is crucial towards meeting not just Malaysia ’ s goals but the world ’ s energy and climate goals .
“ We are lucky to have rivers and the right terrain to enable us to harness our abundant renewable hydropower potential ,” said Sharbini .
He said the world needed sustainable hydropower to help tackle the climate emergency . Investment over the long term in energy storage and grid resilience that hydropower provides is becoming ever more urgent to expand growth in renewables .
Malcolm Turnbull , former Australian Prime Minister , and Tony Blair , former United Kingdom
Prime Minister , on the opening day of the 2021 World Hydropower Congress ( WHC ), agreed the potential absence of sufficient hydropower capacity was the “ ignored crisis within the climate crisis ”.
Sharbini added , “ Sarawak Energy is supporting and contributing towards Malaysia ’ s targets to the Paris Agreement by helping the country meet its Nationally Determined Contributions ( NDCs ) to reduce carbon emissions .”
Earlier this year , large hydropower was finally recognised by the federal government as part of renewable energy . It means Sarawak ’ s hydropower generation is counted in meeting the national renewable energy targets of 40 per cent by 2035 .
Out of Malaysia ’ s total hydro generation capacity of 5,684MW , Sarawak Energy contributes 3,452MW of renewable energy from its stable of large hydropower plants .
“ Our focus on renewable energy resource development has resulted in a decarbonised power system . It has also enabled us to embark on research into renewable energy alternatives including floating solar and hydrogen and launch of Sarawak ’ s first renewable energy certificate ( REC ).
“ The newly-formed Green Hydrogen Organisation or GH2 , chaired by Turnbull , and the International Hydropower Association ( IHA ), have committed to collaborate in addressing climate change issues by using sustainable hydropower to produce green hydrogen ,” said Sharbini .
GH2 will promote green hydrogen production and use and establish a ‘ GH2 Green Hydrogen Standard ’ to ensure that green hydrogen is certified as coming only from low carbon sources .
“ We are also working with global energy leaders to explore more sustainable options of renewable energy . IHA has recently been seeking public feedback on the San Jose Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower , a new manifesto for hydropower development that will identify principles and recommendations to guide new hydropower developments and enhance the sector ’ s contribution to the energy transition .”
“ The final version of the Declaration was launched on Sept 24 , 2021 , at the 2021 WHC , where stakeholders were invited to express their support for the declaration ,” he added .
Sarawak Energy voluntarily adopts IHA ’ s Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol and , in 2011 , formed a sustainability partnership with the IHA to ensure best practices in its hydropower development and operations , which include social issues related to project-affected communities .
The group has been a sustainability partner and platinum member of the IHA since 2010 , and Sharbini was recently re-elected a member of the IHA Board .
IHA is the world ’ s most extensive and active hydropower network and was created under the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organisation ( UNESCO ) in 1995 as the voice of sustainable hydropower . —@ greenXtra