Napier grass can be harvested 3 times a year, says Premier on alternative to produce renewable energy

Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. Photo credit: Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS)

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, Oct 7: The Sarawak government’s plan to explore Napier grass as a biomass source for renewable energy looks promising, as it can be harvested three times a year.

In stating this, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg explained that grass can be used not only as feedstock for animals but also for producing electricity.

“You convert the grass to biomass, and from that biomass, you produce grass pellets. That becomes a source of resources for you to produce electricity.

“And this (Napier grass) can be planted and harvested up to three times a year,” he said when officiating at the International Seminar on Aspiring Sarawak Delta UNESCO Global Geopark held at Riverside Majestic Hotel here today.

As the process of growing Napier grass does not involve carbon dioxide production, Abang Johari also claimed that it would not disrupt the environment.

“If you don’t produce carbon, meaning you can meet the desired temperature outside, and that will be a yardstick for you to measure the type of development that you do without affecting the environment,” he added.

Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian; Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh; Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni; Deputy Minister of Transport (Maritime and Riverine) Dato Henry Harry Jinep; Ministry of Natural Resources and Urban Development (MUDeNR) permanent secretary Datu Abdullah Julaihi; and Sarawak Director of Forests Datu Hamden Mohamad.

On Sept 24, Abang Johari revealed that a study is currently underway to explore the potential of Napier grass as a biomass source for renewable energy generation.

He drew inspiration from a successful operation in Bintulu, where a company utilised 800 hectares of land to produce 2.5 tonnes of grass-based pellets, which were sold to a power plant in the United Kingdom. — DayakDaily