Premier: Sarawak-Singapore partnership poised to become Asean green energy model

Abang Johari delivering his keynote address at the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2026 at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, in Singapore on May 18, 2026. Photo: TVS

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, May 18: Sarawak and Singapore’s strategic cooperation is expected to become a benchmark for Asean in advancing green energy and low-carbon economic growth.

According to Sarawak Premier, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Sarawak has always been working towards becoming the ‘battery of Asean’ via its renewable energy resources to supply clean energy to the region.

He said that the goal is now beginning to materialise through the development of a green energy corridor linking Sarawak and Singapore via a mega-scale connectivity project.

“This regional connectivity link enables clean electricity supply to be transmitted across national borders. The commercial framework, policy structure, and technical preparations are currently being actively developed.

“This is a supply connection being built between two economies that equally understand the need for energy security and the transition towards net zero,” he said during his keynote address at the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2026 at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, in Singapore today, as reported by TVS.

The goal, he said, requires not just energy resources, but also trust and close cooperation among regional countries—describing it as not merely a transaction but as shared infrastructure.

“What we are building together—connectivity, certification systems and trust—carries value that goes beyond any single energy supply agreement,” he said.

Under the plans being developed jointly with Singapore, Sarawak is expected to export one gigawatt (GW) of clean renewable energy to the republic.

The project is expected to become fully operational between 2032 and 2035 upon completion of the more than 700km subsea transmission cable system.

The initiative has received conditional approval from Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) for the consortium led by Sarawak Energy and Sembcorp Utilities Pte Ltd.

The project, which crosses Indonesian territorial waters, has also received full support from Malaysia’s National Security Council and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore to begin the physical development phase of the subsea cable network. — DayakDaily