NEWS & UPDATES

KUCHING
20 NOVEMBER 2021

The second edition of the Sustainability and Renewable Energy Forum or SAREF 2.0, Sarawak Energy’s own-brand thought leadership conference will be held virtually on 24 November 2021.

Targeted at renewable energy leaders and sustainability-minded stakeholders in ASEAN, SAREF is a biennial thought leadership campaign organised to bring the conversation on renewable energy and actionable solutions into Southeast Asia.

SAREF 2.0 is organised this year in partnership with UN Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei (UNGCMYB) and will be integrated within the GO ESG ASEAN 2021 Summit as a parallel session over one afternoon. The first SAREF was held from 10 to 11 December 2019, bringing together global, regional and local energy thought leaders and subject matter experts to Kuching, Sarawak. The event was headlined by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh who raised awareness and mobilised support for the UN Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs. Sarawak Energy also launched East Malaysia's first Renewable Energy Certificate or REC, which provides for the corporate purchase of renewable energy generated in Sarawak and allows corporations to offset carbon emissions while participating in a more sustainable energy future.

Sarawak Energy Group CEO and Chairman of SAREF 2.0, Datu Haji Sharbini Suhaili said, “SAREF 2.0 builds on SAREF 1.0’s aspiration to further explore areas and collaboration opportunities in the renewable energy sector, interconnections, and sustainability for a more sustainable energy future.”

“One of the aspirations set during SAREF 1.0 was to ensure recognition of large hydro as a renewable energy resource in Malaysia. Earlier this year, the federal government finally made this recognition, which means Sarawak’s hydropower generation is now taken into account in meeting the national renewable energy targets of 40% by 2035,” he continued.

SAREF 2.0 will feature panel discussions on shifts in the energy industry and how society can progress towards building a sustainable energy future while helping to meet the UN SDGs.

The UN SDGs aim to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030 through a set of 17 interconnecting goals that address current global challenges.

Formerly held over two days, SAREF 2.0 will be abbreviated over one afternoon to bring together champions of sustainability and renewable energy online to share their insight, examining the impact of COVID-19 on the renewable energy landscape over the last two years, as well as energy poverty eradication efforts across ASEAN.

International speakers include Sooksiri Chamsuk, Programme Officer for United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO); Roger Gill, President of London-based International Hydropower Association; Wong Kim Yin, Group President and CEO of Sembcorp Industries; and Divyam Nagpal, Programme Officer for Energy Access, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

The sessions will also feature Ivan Tan, Chairman of Shell Malaysia; Ayu Abdullah, Co-Executive Director of Energy Action Partners; Syed Mohammad Fauzi Shahab, Director of Energy Supply from Ministry of Utilities Sarawak; Ibrahim bin Ariffin, Director of Strategic Planning for Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA); Ting Ching Zung, Sarawak Energy Executive Vice President for Strategy & Corporate Development; as well as Dr Chen Shiun, Sarawak Energy Vice President for Rural Electrification.

Participation in the forum is open to all and those interested can go to https://ungc.virtualive.tech/home/goesg_saref by 24 November 2021 to register for free.

Sarawak Energy is Malaysia's largest renewable energy developer and celebrates 100 years of powering Sarawak in 2021.

Speakers and panelists for the upcoming SAREF 2.0 which will be held virtually on 24 November 2021.

FILE PIC: Sarawak Energy Group CEO and Chairman of SAREF 2.0, Datu Haji Sharbini Suhaili