@ green | May-June , 2021

Sarawak Energy shares sustainability initiatives

The panellists sharing their perspectives during the session titled “ Why Combating Climate Change is a Business Priority for Us ”.

On the webinar ’ s panel session titled “ Why Combating Climate Change is a Business Priority for Us ”, Mohamad Irwan Aman , Head of Sustainability Division for Sarawak Energy said that Sarawak Energy acknowledged and understood how crucial it was to set a business ambition that would contribute to the global and national sustainability agenda .

“ We are a growing utility and energy provider , and sustainability underpins the way Sarawak Energy operates . This

requires us to understand climate change risks and opportunities to maintain business resilience ,” said Irwan .

“ As we progress our ambition to achieve full electrification in Sarawak by 2025 from our current 98 per cent domestic coverage , we are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals , with much focus on six main goals especially Goal 7 on Affordable and Clean Energy and Goal 13 on Climate Action .”

Irwan was among fellow panellists Stuart Milne ( Chief Executive Officer for HSBC Bank Malaysia ), Jason Snape ( Global Head of Environmental Protection for AstraZeneca ) and Andreas Pistauer ( Managing Director for Siemens Energy Malaysia ).

Datuk Mohammad Faiz Azmi , Executive Chairman for PwC Malaysia , moderated the session .

Race to Zero is a global campaign to rally leadership and support from businesses , cities , regions , and investors to achieve a net-zero economy by 2050 .

The webinar , jointly held by the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce ( BMCC ) and the British High Commission Kuala Lumpur recently , highlighted the benefits of shifting to a zero-carbon future 2021 before the United Nations Climate Change Conference ( COP26 ) in the United Kingdom and Italy this November .

Irwan mentioned that Sarawak Energy was also actively pursuing opportunities to adopt low-carbon solutions and the promotion of a low-carbon economy .

In 2019 , Sarawak Energy built and commissioned Southeast Asia ’ s first integrated hydrogen production plant and refuelling station in Kuching with Linde , the world ’ s largest industrial gas company .

Given its abundant hydropower resources , Sarawak provides an ideal setting in enabling the hydrogen economy . Hence , a study was initiated as pioneering steps to explore the commercial and public application of hydrogen and fuel cell technology .

“ Sarawak Energy now produces green hydrogen through electrolysis at the facility , contributing to the development of technologies that will alter the energy utilisation landscape and progress a green hydrogen economy for Sarawak ,” said Irwan .

He added that Sarawak Energy was also

As we progress our ambition to achieve full electrification in Sarawak by 2025 from our current 98 per cent domestic coverage , we are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals .” – Mohamad Irwan

embarking on a large-scale floating solar on one of its hydropower reservoirs . This showed how active the company was in exploring alternative renewables .

It would continue to invest in digitalisation , energy-efficient generation and climate-friendly technologies to further reduce carbon emissions from its power system .

A milestone in its sustainability commitment , Sarawak Energy was the first company in Malaysia to sign the pledge for “ Business Ambition for 1.5 ° Celsius ” under the United Nations Global Compact in July 2020 .

By signing the pledge , Sarawak Energy committed to setting a science-based emission reduction target across relevant scopes . It would be in line with the Paris Agreement to pursue efforts to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 ° C above pre-industrial levels by 2030 .

Since then , Sarawak Energy has developed a high-level strategy on Climate Action that would help the company mitigate and adapt to climate change impacts .

Together with the science-based targets initiative ( SBTi ) under the “ Business Ambition for 1.5 ° Celsius ” pledge , Sarawak Energy embarked on voluntary climaterelated financial disclosures guided by the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures ( TCFD ) for better access to data in managing climate-related risks .

This will increase the effectiveness in measuring and evaluating climate-related risks about Sarawak Energy and its supply chain .

“ Our business model supports this ambition . Our focus on renewable hydropower making up the primary component of Sarawak Energy ’ s generation mix has already seen the carbon emission intensity of Sarawak ’ s primary grid decrease by 68 per cent during 2011-2019 .

“ Sarawak Energy is celebrating its 100 years of powering Sarawak this year . We look forward to another 100 years of responsibly providing renewable energy solutions for Sarawak and beyond ,” he concluded . — @ green

SARAWAK ENERGY is progressing to further modernise , grow and connect the power system and electricity supply to meet Sarawak ’ s demand and target of full electrification by 2025 . The key to timely completion is compliance with environmental laws and regulations by the energy developer ’ s contractors .

The 2020 edition of Sarawak

Energy ’ s Contractor Environmental Impact Assessment ( EIA ) Compliance Award or CECA was held recently with three ( 3 ) contractors awarded gold , four ( 4 ) given silver . Another four ( 4 ) awarded bronze , while two ( 2 ) received merit ratings for successfully fulfilling CECA assessment criteria . A total of 14 contractors undertaking thermal , hydro , transmission lines and substations projects were assessed , with 13 making the cut .

For the year 2020 under assessment , more projects showed improvement in overall performance , which was reflected in their ratings with more contractors managing to elevate their environmental compliance performance from silver to gold and from bronze to silver .

The contractors were assessed by Sarawak Energy ’ s internal assessors jointly with experienced officers from both the Natural Resources and Environment Board ( NREB ) and the Department of Environment ( DOE ) Sarawak .

Datu Sharbini , Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer , applauded the contractors for their commitment to meeting government-mandated environmental requirements and the partner organisations contributing to Sarawak Energy ’ s environmental initiatives .

“ Congratulations and well done to all the winners . A strong culture of HSSE Excellence and sustainable operations are key enablers for our Sarawak Energy Excellence 2022 aspiration of moving from good to great and becoming a regional powerhouse ,” said Sharbini .

“ Contractors play a vital role in creating a sustainable future for all