NEWS & UPDATES

SINGAPORE, 14 NOVEMBER 2018, WEDNESDAY: Delegates at a high-level conference here today were given insight into why sustainable hydropower remained the best option as catalyst for socio-economic growth in Sarawak.

Addressing the 4^th Power Week Asia, Datu Sharbini Suhaili, Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer, shared Sarawak Energy's experience in transforming from a traditional utility to a key hydropower developer with a forward vision to not only power Sarawak but also beyond.

“It has been quite a transformation for Sarawak Energy. Hydropower is expected to remain the world’s largest source of renewable electricity generation. In Sarawak, we made an early start in hydropower thirty years ago with Batang Ai. This was accelerated in the last ten years with Bakun and Murum HEPs and we have already begun to experience the positive impact in catalysing development, social outcomes and our environmental footprint.

“With international best practice guiding us through our association with the International Hydropower Association, venturing into hydropower has brought tangible benefit including the acceleration of rural infrastructure development at our dam sites. The increase in generation capacity from hydropower has enabled the establishment and expansion of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy or SCORE which has attracted investment from energy intensive industries into Sarawak as a result of our globally competitive tariffs,” he said when delivering his presentation titled “Hydropower Development: Catalyst for Sarawak’s Socio-Economic Growth”.

Describing the changing energy development scenario in Sarawak, Sharbini said hydropower has also enabled Sarawak Energy to achieve first export of power to neighbouring West Kalimantan, and open doors for collaboration with Sabah and Brunei for potential power export agreements.

This, he said, was in line with Sarawak’s aspiration to becoming a regional powerhouse by realising the Borneo Grid.

Sharbini was also in a panel session “Which renewable energy source is the most promising?” which was moderated by Steve Iyer, Vice President for Canadian Solar. The other panelists were Valerie Speth, Regional Director Asia Pacific for Juwi Renewable Energies Singapore and Sunil Gupta, Senior Vice President for Sembcorp Industries Singapore.

Power Week Asia is an international conference and summit for the electric power and energy sector which provides expert views, valuable take-aways and insights on the energy industry’s outlook and serves as a networking platform.

Datu Sharbini Suhaili presenting at Power Week Asia 2018 in Singapore

Datu Sharbini Suhaili in a panel session on renewable energy source.