Premier Abang Johari to launch prototype to harness wave energy in Bintulu next month

Abang Johari (fourth left) photographed with other distinguished guests during the launching ceremony of MIDA Invest Series — Sarawak 2024 held in Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2024.

By Shikin Louis

KUALA LUMPUR, July 17: Sarawak will launch its first prototype to harness kinetic energy from ocean waves in Bintulu next month.

Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said it is one of the three green energy sources to generate electricity that Sarawak is currently exploring, apart from hydro and solar.

“Next month, I will launch this kinetic prototype in Bintulu—(it is) using the waves.

“The waves will produce energy [through] turbines,” he said when launching Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) Invest Series—Sarawak 2024 in Kuala Lumpur today.

Based on earlier reports, the experiment is being conducted in Samalaju waters about 4 kilometers from the shore.

At the time, Abang Johari said the experiment involved a prototype based on a new technology which only exists in Shanghai, China.

On April 17, Abang Johari announced that the Sarawak government is set to initiate a pioneering wave farm in Samalaju, Bintulu to capture energy from waves, transforming it into kinetic energy for power generation.

If the experiment is successful, he said Bintulu will be among the first in the world to use wave energy to generate electricity.

Also present at the event were Deputy Premier-cum-Sarawak Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment, Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan; Federal Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Senator Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz; Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki; Sarawak Deputy Minister for International Trade, Industry and Investment, Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh; and Sarawak Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability, Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni. — DayakDaily