Premier gains Prime Minister’s approval for green energy push to generate extra income through power sharing, sales

Abang Johari addressing a press conference after announcing Amanah Saham Sarawak Berhad (ASSAR) annual interim dividend at Hikmah Exchange on Jan 5, 2023.

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, Jan 5: Premier of Sarawak Datuk Pattingi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said that his suggestion to vigorously pursue the development of five renewable energy sources in Sarawak to generate additional income through power sharing and sales has been positively accepted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Abang Johari emphasised that all eyes are currently on Sarawak’s strength and potential to emerge as a key player in the green energy sector.

“Our approach has evolved and so I told PM (Prime Minister) why not we focus on developing the energy sources that can be shared and sold, thereby creating extra income. It appears that PM agrees with my suggestion, and we have (Dato Sri) Fadillah (Yusof) as the Minister of Energy Transition and Public Utilities.

“With Sarawak ongoing transition to green economy, we have the opportunity to lead in the green energy sector through the right strategy and execution. We hope to expand and accelerate our green energy development that will bring in more investments,” he told a press conference after announcing Amanah Saham Sarawak Berhad (ASSAR) annual interim dividend at Hikmah Exchange here today.

Abang Johari highlighted Sarawak’s collaborations with Masdar, a leading global commercial enterprise in renewable energy and clean technologies from Qatar, and Mubadala, a sovereign investment company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, within the energy transition sector.

He pointed out that Sarawak can leverage on five energy sources with the first being hydropower through existing dams and cascading dams in rivers in the pipeline which has potential to generate about 18-20 gigawatts of power.

“Secondly, solar power on both water and land. Third is biomass such as from wood pellets, fourth is P2G2P or power to gas to power where either solar or hydro can be utilised to produce hydrogen. Fifth is wind energy.

“When you look at the point of industrial revolution with its transition from coal to oil, energy remains central, and we can produce these forms of energy. Of course we need to reserve for domestic consumption but that will not take up a lot. The excess can generate additional income for the region,” he explained.

Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, Sarawak Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, and Sarawak Attorney-General and ASSAR Board of Director member Datu Saferi Ali were among those present. — DayakDaily