10 COVER STORY
@ green | November-December , 2021
Exploring clean energy pathways
Solar power utilised to provide micro-grids to light up Sarawak ’ s remote hinterland villages
Since the launch of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy or SCORE in 2008 , we began to take a holistic view of energy development to balance energy security , sustainability and affordability to drive socioeconomic transformation and harnessing hydropower was the ideal option to realise this .”
– Datu Sharbini Suhaili
SARAWAK ENERGY continued to share Sarawak ’ s sustainable energy development story at the recent Clean Power New Energy Conference 2021 with national and regional industry leaders and policymakers .
Group Chief Executive Officer Datu Sharbini Suhaili shared the aspirations , initiatives , and contributions of Malaysia ’ s largest renewable energy developer and provider in building a shared sustainable energy future .
The virtual event with the theme “ Embarking New Path Towards Future Sustainable Energy ” was held on Oct 12-13 .
It was attended by representatives from leading power utility leaders , government decision-makers , and renewable energy companies coming together to explore the context and implications of growing renewable deployment in shaping the energy industry .
Sharbini delivered the keynote speech at the event , which kicked off after an opening address by British High Commissioner to Malaysia Charles Hay . Hay commended Sarawak Energy for being an early mover among Malaysian companies in joining the Race to Zero and reducing carbon emissions .
Race to Zero is a United Nations-backed global campaign rallying non-State actors , including businesses , cities , regions , and investors , to halve global emissions by 2030 .
Highlighting the role of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy ( SCORE ) in the State ’ s energy transition over a decade ago , Sharbini shared how this strategy and hydropower development was an enabler to many achievements .
“ Since the launch of SCORE in 2008 , we began to take a holistic view of energy development to balance energy security , sustainability and affordability to drive socio-economic transformation and harnessing hydropower was the ideal option to realise this ,” he explained .
“ Our generation mix has evolved from being primarily fossil fuel to predominantly renewable hydropower , supplemented by gas , indigenous coal , off-grid diesel and alternative energy for energy security .”
Aside from being an abundant indigenous source of energy , renewable hydropower has resulted in Sarawak offering customers among the most competitive average unsubsidised tariff in the region . The State decarbonised its power system to reduce over 70 per cent in carbon emissions intensity from 2010 to 2020 .
Sharbini also shared how rural electrification was growing from 56 per cent in 2009 to 97 per cent by the end of 2021 .
SCORE has also enabled Sarawak to position itself as the battery of the ASEAN region and progress its ambition of spearheading the Borneo Grid .
Sarawak Energy has since been recognised as an essential voice of sustainable hydropower development worldwide despite being relatively a smaller organisation from the island of Borneo .
“ We are aligned with the San Jose Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower ’ s principles recently launched at the World Hydropower Congress 2021 .
“ We are committed to the principles that sustainable hydropower delivers ongoing benefits to communities , livelihoods and the climate , the only acceptable hydropower is sustainable hydropower , and sustainable hydropower requires stakeholders to work together ,” added Sharbini .
Sarawak Energy ’ s hydropower plants are developed per the International Hydropower Association ( IHA ) Sustainability Assessment Protocol and the International Commission On Large Dams ( ICOLD ) guidelines .
Sharbini said the company was also exploring alternative clean energy pathways with other renewables like green hydrogen , primarily greening Sarawak ’ s transportation sector .
Solar power is also utilised to provide micro-grids to light up Sarawak ’ s remote hinterland villages .
Sarawak Energy is also integrating large scale solar , beginning with a 50MW floating solar on the Batang Ai HEP reservoir , increasing the proportion of alternative renewable energy in Sarawak ’ s generation mix .
Meanwhile , also speaking at the event were James Ung , the CEO of Sarawak Energy ’ s generation arm , SEB Power , and Dr Chen Shiun , Sarawak Energy Vice President for Rural Electrification .
Ung participated in a panel discussion on ‘ Advancing Malaysia ’ s Energy Transformation from the Present to the Future ’, where he explained the advantages of hydropower within Sarawak ’ s context .
Ung shared how this has catalysed Sarawak Energy ’ s transformation and prominence in the renewable energy sector . He also spoke on the company sharing its renewable energy resources with its neighbours through power grid interconnections .
Chen was in a fireside chat themed ‘ Clean Power & New Energy Predictions in 2021 & Beyond ’. He emphasised that aside from having relevant policies , support and demand from society and all sectors , particularly financial institutions , were essential in pushing for clean power and new energy .
He also talked about how crucial it was to balance affordability , reliability and sustainability in renewable energy development , which varies from country to country and even localities depending on economic viability and individual needs . — @ Green