Fadillah expresses interest in renewable energy collaboration in London

LONDON: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof has expressed interest in collaborating with Sarawak Energy, the International Hydropower Association (IHA), and the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA) on policy, advocacy, and renewable energy capacity building.

He said this during a recent discussion at the Malaysia High Commission in London, which aimed to advance Malaysia’s sustainable energy goals and foster regional collaboration within the global hydropower community to achieve the nation’s net-zero target by 2050.

Fadillah, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA), discussed Malaysia’s efforts to address resource security and environmental impact concerns by pursuing renewable energy alternatives, including solar and hydro, to diversify the energy mix and promote sustainable electricity generation.

“In 2021, the Malaysia Renewable Energy Roadmap outlined a strategic framework to achieve the ambitious targets for diversifying the nation’s energy mix, with hydroelectric power standing out significantly,” he said.

Sarawak Energy was represented by its Group CEO Datuk Sharbini Suhaili, who also serves as a Board Member of IHA for Asia (East and Pacific). IHA and GRA were represented by their CEOs, Eddie Rich and Bruce Douglas, respectively.

Furthermore, Fadillah also highlighted the future of hydropower, including mini and micro-hydro projects, which offer sustainable energy solutions for rural electrification while minimising environmental impact.

These smaller hydro projects require modest infrastructure and integrate well into existing water management systems.

During the discussion, Sharbini emphasised Sarawak Energy’s commitment to accelerating hydropower development towards net zero and shared insights on how renewable hydropower has powered Sarawak’s sustainable growth.

“Renewable hydropower can power sustainable socioeconomic growth in Sarawak and serve as one of the key enablers for regional growth,” he said.

Sharbini noted that while Southeast Asia’s installed hydropower capacity is expected to continue growing to meet electricity demand, many policymakers in the region have not included hydropower in net zero strategies yet, as reflected in IHA’s published 2024 World Hydropower Outlook.

With increased resources and strengthened partnerships, Sarawak Energy aims to support global energy transition efforts and contribute to the region’s energy transition.

“Malaysia recognises large hydropower as a contributor to renewable energy targets at the national level. With this, Malaysia can play a very important role in driving this regional shift towards renewable hydropower – becoming an energy transition leader in Southeast Asia,” he said.

Additionally, Rich emphasised hydropower’s role in supporting global climate action and shared IHA’s plans to focus more on regionalization to meet Southeast Asia’s needs in accelerating sustainable hydropower development.

He also detailed IHA’s recommendations for Malaysia and the role of advocacy going forward.