NEWS & UPDATES

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
6 DECEMBER 2023

Sarawak Energy, Malaysia's largest renewable energy developer and provider, has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with United Arab Emirates state-owned clean energy provider, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC, widely known as Masdar. This strategic collaboration aims to advance the development of renewable energy projects across Sarawak and Malaysia.

Signed during the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) in Dubai; the focus of the agreement revolves around several key areas of collaboration including the development of renewable energy projects utilising innovative technologies such as Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

One of the targets outlined in the MoU is the joint effort to develop 2 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy projects in Malaysia, with plans to kick off Phase 1 of this initiative by developing 1 GW of projects in Sarawak. In addition to the focus on solar and energy storage projects, Sarawak Energy and Masdar are set to explore collaborative opportunities in hydro projects throughout Malaysia.

Studies from the 1960s indicate that Sarawak has 20,000MW of hydropower potential, with at least 8000MW from high potential sites. Sarawak Energy has harnessed 3.452GW from the Bakun, Murum and Batang Ai hydropower plants, with the 1.285 GW Baleh HEP due to be commissioned by the end of the decade.

Sarawak’s strategic shift towards renewable hydropower began in the 1980s with the commissioning of the Batang Ai Hydroelectric Plant in 1985. With over 40 years of experience in hydropower development, the Sarawak Government-owned energy development group has evolved into Malaysia's hydropower specialist, with a vision to be a regional renewable energy powerhouse committed to a sustainable future.

Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili said, “As Malaysia progresses towards its net-zero targets, it is crucial for nations to work together in maximising the full potential of their renewable energy resources. Regional collaboration is essential, and our partnership with Masdar will play a key role in advancing our sustainable future agenda.”

Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, said: "We are very proud to be strengthening our support for Malaysia’s renewable energy ambitions with this partnership. As a clean energy pioneer with over 17 years of experience in deploying renewable and clean energy projects at scale, we look forward to helping build Malaysia’s renewable energy capacity with this agreement in support of its net-zero targets."

Datuk Haji Sharbini formalised the MOU with Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi at the Masdar Pavilion of COP28's Energy Transition Hub, witnessed by the Premier of Sarawak, The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg and Deputy Premier of Sarawak, The Honourable Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah bin Ali Hasan.

Signifying a major step forward in advancing international collaboration for the development of sustainable and renewable energy solutions, this partnership follows an MoU signed in October 2023 between Masdar and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) that marked an investment commitment of US$8 billion (RM37 billion) for the development of up to 10 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy projects.

Sarawak Energy Group CEO, Datuk Haji Sharbini (seated right) formalised the MOU with Masdar CEO, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi (seated left) at the Masdar Pavilion of COP28's Energy Transition Hub, witnessed by the Premier of Sarawak, The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg (standing left) and Deputy Premier of Sarawak, The Honourable Datuk Amar Haji Awang Tengah bin Ali Hasan.