NEWS & UPDATES

Kuching, 22 May 2013: The International Hydropower Association (IHA) 2013 World Congress Plenary Session opened in Kuching, Sarawak today bringing together over 500 delegates from 60 countries around the world, to advance sustainable hydropower solutions that would cater to the increasing energy demands of the developing world in particular.

The theme of the conference, “Advancing Sustainable Hydropower” covers the various challenges of balancing the production of hydroelectric power with preserving the social and ecological environment.

Mr Torstein Dale Sjøtveit, the Chief Executive Officer of Sarawak Energy Berhad and a board member of the IHA said, “Energy is the only path to drive socio-economic growth worldwide. If we don’t allow developing countries to harness their energy potential we are taking away their opportunity for prosperity and growth.”

Torstein Sarawak Energy's CEO Delivering Speech At Opening Of IHA.

“When we talk about sustainability we cannot view sustainability in a silo. We need to talk about sustainability from a global perspective. 20% of the world’s population in the developed world is using 50% of the world’s resources and having 50% of the world’s income. This is not a sustainable strategy. Developing countries should be allowed to develop. It is difficult for me to understand why the developed world keeps hammering the developing world about sustainability,” added Mr Torstein.

Held for the first time in South East Asia, the congress which will run till 24th May 2013 puts the spotlight on the soon to be commissioned Murum Hydro Power Development project located on the Murum River, approximately 600 kilometers from Kuching.