KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) aims to increase the amount of renewable energy and alternative energy in the generation mix because renewable hydropower will continue to be an important capital for a sustainable energy future.
Its chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Sharbini Suhaili said that by 2030, the company plans to add about five per cent solar energy into its generation mix.
“The 1,285MW Baleh Hydroelectric Project is progressing and is expected to come on stream by 2027.
“Besides, SEB is also embarking on the first floating solar farm at the 108MW Batang Ai Hydropower Plant – leveraging on the reservoir’s existing body of water to do so.
“Once commissioned, the 50MW solar farm will offset around 52 kilo tonnes of carbon emissions annually – further decarbonising Sarawak’s power system,” he said.
He said this at the Sarawak Energy Berhad’s (SEB) Centenary Celebration at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on Monday (Feb 21).
With renewable energy identified as a key enabler of this strategy, he said the company’s efforts are focused on maintaining a 60 per cent renewable energy capacity mix by 2030.
“We also aim to reduce Carbon dioxide emissions by 600k tons per annum through electric vehicles (EVs) and achieve more than 15 per cent income from foreign markets in line with our Southeast Asia renewable energy powerhouse ambitions,” he added.
He added these targets are supported by five initiatives which firstly to increase private sector participation in solar, mini hydro, oil palm and biomass projects.
“Others include stimulating Sarawak’s hydrogen economy via exports, with Sarawak serving as the hub for the hydrogen value chain; promoting net metering for domestic, commercial and industrial energy generation; enhancing power export to increase interconnectivity within the region; and encouraging EV usage to reduce carbon emissions and decarbonise the transportation sector,” he said.
