Special committee to facilitate green energy partnership between S’wak with UAE companies Mubadala, MASDAR

Abang Johari greets the local folk in Selangau on Dec 18, 2023. Photo credit: Sarawak Information Department (JaPen)

By Shikin Louis

SIBU, Dec 18: Sarawak will establish a special committee to facilitate the State’s quest for a green energy agenda in partnership with United Arab Emirates’ companies—Mubadala Oil & Gas and MASDAR.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Sarawak government had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Mubadala during the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai earlier this month.

“They (Mubadala) have operations offshore Sarawak together with Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas). Therefore, we will have a special committee on the development of Mubadala here,” he said during a press conference after officiating Selangau Riverfront and Selangau District Office building today.

Apart from that, Abang Johari said the Sarawak government, through Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sarawak Energy), had signed an MOU with MASDAR—one of the world’s leading renewable energy companies based in Abu Dhabi.

“At the moment, they have their investment in Indonesia on floating solar.

“We (Sarawak) have all the resources on green energy, so we will be working with MASDAR on renewable energy, including hydropower, solar and algae-based sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

“Therefore, I have decided to form a committee that will involve Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) and Sarawak Energy to work together with Mubadala and MASDAR, respectively, so they will work out the details,” he added.

Touching on his recent visit to the United Kingdom (UK), Abang Johari said the British Petroleum (BP) has expressed their interest in carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) development in Sarawak.

Additionally, he mentioned that Sarawak has been recognised as not only achieving net zero carbon but it is ‘carbon negative’.

“This means we have less carbon and more oxygen. Thus, we have that advantage in the world platform towards green energy,” he emphasised. — DayakDaily