S’wak utility minister leads delegation to study pumped hydro energy storage in Australia

Julaihi (seated 3rd left) and others photographed during the engagement session with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and the Australian National University (ANU) supported by Australia’s Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) in Canberra, Australia on Aug 26, 2024.

By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, Aug 26: Sarawak Minister of Utility and Telecommunication (MUT) Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi is leading a delegation on a study mission to learn about pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) in Australia.

According to a statement by Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sarawak Energy), the study visit starting today began with an engagement session in Canberra, Australia, with the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Australian National University (ANU) supported by Australia’s Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I).

During the session, DFAT Australia’s assistant secretary of the Southeast Asia Maritime Branch, Jane Duke, said that based on early research by the ANU, Sarawak has strong PHES potential, which could be part of the continued focus on renewables and green solutions.

Meanwhile, Julaihi, in his speech, spoke about Sarawak’s energy transition journey, expressing the State’s intention to learn from Australia’s own experience, particularly regarding the role of PHES, as well as relevant technical, market, and strategic considerations.

He also highlighted the importance of key policies and regulatory settings in enabling investment.

The minister further expressed hope that this would support Sarawak’s goal of generating 10 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030 (102030) and looked forward to strengthening government and industry partnerships between Sarawak and Australia, noting the potential for broader collaboration on energy initiatives.

On the other hand, Sarawak Energy Group chief operating officer (COO) James Ung presented an overview of Sarawak Energy, saying that with the increasing demand and a growing focus on sustainability from customers and stakeholders, Sarawak had taken a holistic approach to energy development—balancing energy security, sustainability and affordability.

He discussed Sarawak Energy’s energy transition journey, noting its shift from a generation mix primarily based on fossil fuels to one predominantly hydropower, a sustainable and renewable resource.

Moving forward, Ung said that Sarawak Energy plans to continue making strong investments in hydropower while diversifying into other alternative renewable resources, such as large-scale solar.

He also outlined Sarawak Energy’s expectations for PHES and highlighted the prospects of pairing PHES technology with floating solar installations, which would maximise the potential of Sarawak’s existing hydropower resources.

Also present were Andrew Edge, Director, Climate and Energy Section, DFAT Australia; Russell Marsh, P4I Energy Transition Specialist & EY, Associate Partner – Energy Transition; Dr Andrew Blakers, Professor of Engineering, ANU; and Michael Ting, Senior Programme Manager for P4I, from the Australian High Commission to Malaysia.

The study mission programme will continue with a policy dialogue on energy transition and storage, focusing on Australia’s Net Zero Emissions strategy, ESG considerations, and the resilience of PHES projects, as well as a technical discussion hosted by ANU involving key developers, operators, and engineers. — DayakDaily