NEWS & UPDATES

TOKYO, JAPAN

18 JANUARY 2023

Sarawak Energy Berhad has been awarded a US$1m grant from the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) for a technical study to enhance our digital transformation strategic roadmap, pushing the company closer towards its aim of becoming a sustainable digital utility by 2025 and beyond.

Under this partnership, USTDA will assess the current status of Sarawak Energy’s digital landscape and support the company’s strategic roadmap to enable the adoption of smart grid and digital power plant technologies, enhance efficiency, increase cyber security as well as meet growing connectivity commitment and service reliability requirements to drive sustainable economic growth in Malaysia.

This collaboration will also boost Sarawak Energy’s efforts to meet the state and the region’s need for reliable, renewable and affordable energy, as the utility advances towards its goal of becoming a regional powerhouse.

Non-profit energy research and development institute Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) has been selected by Sarawak Energy to carry out the technical study.

The agreements for the grant and technical study were signed at a ceremony held at the 5^th Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Tokyo, Japan on 12 January 2023.

Signing on behalf of Sarawak Energy was its Group CEO Datu Haji Sharbini Suhaili while the USTDA was represented by its Director, Enoh T. Ebong. EPRI was represented by EPRI International President Tom TerBush.

“Sarawak Energy expresses gratitude to USTDA for this new partnership and welcomes EPRI’s technical support.

“Sarawak Energy is confident that USTDA’s assistance, together with EPRI’s guidance will bring successful outcomes and sustainable growth. Digitalised management of our utility will further enable Sarawak Energy’s already robust renewable energy resources and forward-thinking approach to adopt technology and rapidly modernise our grid and power plants through advanced integrated digital solutions,” said Datu Sharbini.

Commenting on the partnership, Enoh T. Ebong said: “Around the world, we have seen the transformative impact of digital infrastructure on achieving ambitious clean energy, energy efficiency, and other climate-related goals. Our partnership with Sarawak Energy is intended to support their vision of sustainable growth by meeting the region’s need for reliable, renewable energy. At the same time, we see opportunities to mobilise US technical innovation in support of their goals.”

On the technical study, EPRI President and CEO Arshad Mansoor said: “EPRI is pleased to assist Sarawak in the modernising of its grid, as this fits with our society-based mission to ensure the public has clean, safe, reliable, affordable, and equitable access to electricity across the globe.

“USTDA’s investment could serve as a catalyst for further cooperation between Malaysia and the US private sector to advance sustainable economic development and the clean energy transition”.

USTDA director Enoh T. Ebong (left), Sarawak Energy Group CEO Datu Sharbini Suhaili (center) and EPRI International president Tom TerBush (right) signing documents at a ceremony held at the 5^th Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Tokyo. Sarawak Energy was awarded a US$1m grant from the USTDA for a technical study to enhance its digital transformation strategic roadmap. EPRI has been chosen by Sarawak Energy to carry out the technical study.

Representatives from Sarawak Energy, USTDA and EPRI posing for a group photo at the signing ceremony held at the 5^th Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Tokyo.

Seated L-R: USTDA director Enoh T. Ebong, Sarawak Energy Group CEO Datu Sharbini Suhaili and EPRI International president Tom TerBush.

Standing L-R: USTDA Senior Country Representative for Malaysia Murni Ali, USTDA Manager for Indo-Pacific (Healthcare and Smart Grid) Brent Harrison, USTDA Regional Director for Indo-Pacific Verinda Fike, Sarawak Energy Digital Innovation and Technology Manager Michelle Fam Chui Sze, Sarawak Energy Group CEO Office Executive Advisor Abang Hudini Abang Kashim, EPRI Regional Manager for Southeast Asia and India Paul Pickering.

USTDA director Enoh T. Ebong (left), Sarawak Energy Group CEO Datu Sharbini Suhaili (center) and EPRI International president Tom TerBush (right) at the signing ceremony held at the 5^th Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Tokyo. Sarawak Energy was awarded a US$1m grant from the USTDA for a technical study to enhance its digital transformation strategic roadmap. EPRI has been chosen by Sarawak Energy to carry out the technical study.