News & Updates

KUCHING

26 NOVEMBER 2021

The second edition of the Sustainability and Renewable Energy Forum or SAREF 2.0 was successfully held recently featuring insightful and purposeful dialogues surrounding the renewable energy sector’s role and buildout for a sustainable shared energy future.

The forum, held over the afternoon, covered three panel sessions with discussion on Energy Poverty Eradication, a conversation on expanding Sarawak’s Renewable Energy Footprint and a high-powered session in the Renewable Energy Leader’s Forum on making the transition to low carbon energy systems to eventually reaching net zero carbon emission targets by 2050.

SAREF, first held in 2019, is organised by Sarawak Energy and targets renewable energy leaders and sustainability-minded stakeholders in ASEAN. The biennial thought leadership campaign was conceptualised to bring the conversation on renewable energy and actionable solutions into Southeast Asia on how multiple stakeholders can work together towards building a sustainable energy future while helping to meet the UN Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs.

SAREF 2.0 is organised in partnership with UN Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei (UNGCMYB) by integrating within the GO ESG ASEAN 2021 Summit as a parallel session

Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi, Sarawak Energy Chairman, in his opening remarks said SAREF 2.0 is held to honour Sarawak Energy’s commitment to keeping the conversation going on the potential and role of renewable resources for a sustainable energy future and transition updates in the energy landscape.

“In keeping this discourse going, we need to ask questions like what are the opportunities in renewable energy partnerships? Is it in interconnections or green hydrogen production? Can Renewable Energy Certificates play a bigger role? Ultimately, how can we work together for a sustainable energy future for all.

“SAREF is an ideal plaftform through which delegates and panellists can exchange learnings and explore areas of collaboration so different stakeholders can work together towards a sustainable energy future within ASEAN. Thank you to the United Nations Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei for your support and partnership in Sarawak Energy’s initiatives,” he said.

Meanwhile during the Renewable Energy Leader’s Forum it was established that much more purposeful collaboration was required to ensure the transition to low carbon energy systems would balance socio-economic growth with realistic and workable energy transition strategies.

Energy industry experts and leaders Datu Hj Sharbini Suhaili, Group CEO of Sarawak Energy; Ivan Tan, Chairman of Shell Malaysia; Wong Kim Yin, Group President and CEO of Sembcorp Industries; Ibrahim Ariffin, Director of Strategic Planning for Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia and Roger Gill, President of London-based International Hydropower Association deliberated on nations and organisations making the shift from brown to green energy spaces and the opportunities and challenges.

Key points highlighted were the need for strong political will in sustainability strategies to accelerate transition towards renewable resources, cost-sharing initiatives investments and incentives to encourage the shift as well as diversifying traditional businesses or changing the way of doing things to be part of the solution. However, most importantly all this must be done at an acceptable pace to enable a just transition.

The forum also discussed the recent COP26 Glasgow Climate Pact, the San Jose Declaration on sustainable hydropower, carbon capture and energy storage technologies, smart grid enhancement and how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced the energy landscape.

Other distinguished speakers in the other panel discussions at SAREF 2.0 comprised Syed Mohammad Fauzi Shahab, Director of Energy Supply from Ministry of Utilities Sarawak; Ting Ching Zung, Sarawak Energy Executive Vice President for Strategy & Corporate Development; Dr Chen Shiun, Sarawak Energy Vice President for Rural Electrification; Sooksiri Chamsuk, Programme Officer for United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO); Divyam Nagpal, Programme Officer for Energy Access, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Ayu Abdullah, Co-Executive Director of Energy Action Partners.

Sarawak Energy Chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi delivering the opening remarks at SAREF 2.0.

The Renewable Energy Leader’s Forum featuring (clockwise from top left) Roger Gill, President of London-based International Hydropower Association, Ibrahim Ariffin, Director of Strategic Planning for Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) Malaysia, forum’s moderator Reggie Ho, Associate Content Director of South China Morning Post, Datu Hj Sharbini Suhaili, Group CEO of Sarawak Energy, Wong Kim Yin, Group President and CEO of Sembcorp Industries and Ivan Tan, Chairman of Shell Malaysia.

List of speakers & panelists at SAREF 2.0