NEWS & UPDATES

KUALA LUMPUR

30 JUNE 2023

Sarawak Energy’s Bakun Hydro Power Generation facility was named the national-level best overall performer and Challenge Trophy winner at the recent Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Awards (PMHA) 2021/2022 for its outstanding contribution to environmental conservation and sustainable innovation. This is also the first time that a Sarawakian company has won the Challenge Trophy.

Established in 1996, the PMHA is the country’s premier environmental award for businesses and industries, that recognises outstanding performance and leadership in the field of environmental excellence. Held biennially, the awards are presented to organisations that demonstrate exceptional commitment to addressing ecological challenges, with unwavering dedication to creating a positive impact on the environment through innovative practices and initiatives.

Besides the Challenge Trophy, Sarawak Energy also received two category-best awards for Bakun Hydro Power Generation and Mukah Power Generation; who both took home Excellent Achievement Awards, while its Sejingkat Power Corporation received a Notable Achievement Award in Environmental Performance.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, The Honorable Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad emphasised the importance of industries to continuously strive towards improving sustainable practices to embrace a green economy.

“While the government has introduced various initiatives to encourage industries to ramp up environmental conservation including funding to promote research and development in green technologies, training programmes and incentives to reduce negative impacts on the environment; we also realise that ultimately, the best way forward is for businesses and industries themselves to realise that sustainability is the way forward,” said Nik Nazmi, who later presented the awards.

He further highlighted the significance of institutions like the Prime Minister's Hibiscus Awards in acknowledging industry players, particularly from private sectors, for their commitment to sustainability.

Congratulating the award winners, the Minister called for unified efforts from all stakeholders — the government, industry players, academics and the public — to promote sustainable living; underlining that industrialisation in Malaysia could be more environmentally friendly with the adoption of a sustainable consumption and production approach. He added, “I trust that the remarkable achievements of the winning companies will inspire others to emulate their success for the benefit of our cherished nation and our planet.”

Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer, Datu Haji Sharbini Suhaili credited the success to the hard work and commitment of the management and staff of Sarawak Energy. He also thanked the Group’s Board of Directors for their steer and the Sarawak Government for their vision, adding “The Sarawak Government has long emphasised the importance of balancing economic growth with environmental conservation and social wellbeing. The State prioritises environmental sustainability, economic prosperity and an inclusive society as key pillars in the Sarawak Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030.”

Highlighting the Group’s continuous efforts to embed sustainability in its operations and its commitment to environmental conservation and protection, he said, “As Malaysia’s largest renewable energy developer, Sarawak Energy believes that every one of our 5,500 employees has a role to play in environmental stewardship.

“We have implemented corporate level environmental programmes to promote sustainability and environmental excellence across the business. This includes circular economy principles and initiatives, Go Green campaigns and awareness programmes. In November 2021, we established a Biodiversity Conservation Committee to streamline biodiversity conservation efforts across the Group and are the first corporate body in Malaysia to commit to the United Nations Global Compact Network’s ‘Business Ambition for 1.5° Celsius’ pledge to limit global temperature rise to 1.5° Celsius above pre-industrial levels by 2030.”

Sarawak Energy, through Bakun Hydro Power Generation, operates and maintains the 2,400MW Bakun Hydroelectric Plant (HEP). One of Southeast Asia’s largest HEPs with an onsite team of 173, Bakun HEP has played a key role in supplying Sarawak with sustainable, reliable, and affordable renewable energy. Since commencing operations in 2011, Bakun HEP has also contributed to the reduction of Sarawak Energy’s carbon intensity in electricity supply by 76.5%.

Other environmental initiatives by the facility include the establishment of a conservation island and circular economy programmes implemented within its operations. The facility also retains zero non-compliance and non-conformity findings on its environmental management system from an external Certification Body since it was first certified with ISO14001 in 2019.

Datu Sharbini said Sarawak Energy was honoured to receive the awards as it was a much-respected external validation of the Group’s ongoing efforts to not only reduce ecological footprints but also inspire positive change within the industry and beyond. He explained, “We align our business to the San Jose Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower’s principles to ensure sustainable hydropower delivers ongoing benefits to communities, livelihoods and the climate based on the belief that ‘the only acceptable hydropower is sustainable hydropower’. Sarawak Energy will continue to work towards Environmental Excellence in all our operations, with a strong focus on sustainability in everything we do.

“All of our hydropower dams are designed and constructed following stringent guidelines set by the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) to withstand extreme flood events and are also in accordance with guidelines set out by the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol of the International Hydropower Association.”

Meanwhile, fellow Excellent Achievement in Environmental Performance award winner Mukah Power Generation impressed with their efforts as a socially responsible corporate neighbour. In 2021, the facility completed a project to prevent soil erosion at nearby Sungai Badengan river; simultaneously safeguarding both the environment and welfare of nearby villagers. Mukah Power Generation also actively organised internal and public household e-waste campaigns, tree planting activities and early education programmes.

The Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Award is jointly organised Malaysia’s leading private sector non-profit organisations concerned with corporate environmental responsibility, namely, the Environmental Management and Research Association of Malaysia (ENSEARCH), Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) and Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCI). The award is endorsed and supported by the Prime Minister’s Department, Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change and the Department of Environment.

Sarawak Energy Group CEO, Datu Haji Sharbini Suhaili (3^rd right) and SEB Power CEO, Ir. Bunyak Lunyong (4^th right) received the PMHA Challenge Trophy from Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad (2^nd right). Sarawak Energy’s Bakun Hydro Power Generation facility was named the national-level best overall performer and Challenge Trophy winner, besides also receiving an Excellent Achievement in Environmental Performance award.

Bakun HEP Station Manager, Jonny Wong Kwei Ji (3^rd left) received the Excellent Achievement in Environment Award on behalf of Sarawak Energy. Bakun Hydro Power Generation was named the national-level best overall performer and Challenge Trophy winner.

Sarawak Energy’s Bakun Hydro Power Generation facility was named the national-level best overall performer and Challenge Trophy winner at the recent Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Awards (PMHA) 2021/2022 for its outstanding contribution to environmental conservation and sustainable innovation. This is also the first time that a Sarawakian company has won the Challenge Trophy.

Sarawak Energy’s Mukah Power Station also received an Excellent Achievement in Environment Award. Station Manager, Abbas Salimi Madon (3^rd right) received the award.

Sejingkat Power Corporation received a Notable Achievement Award in Environmental Performance. Station Manager, Ir. Mohd Narzam Jaffar (3^rd right) received the award.

Sarawak Energy’s Bakun Hydro Power Generation operates and maintains the 2,400MW Bakun Hydroelectric Plant (HEP). Like all Sarawak Energy’s hydropower dams, the Bakun HEP is designed and constructed following stringent guidelines set by the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) to withstand extreme flood events and is also in accordance with guidelines set out by the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol of the International Hydropower Association.