NEWS & UPDATES

KUCHING
8 AUGUST 2023

Sarawak Energy, with support from the Ministry of Utility & Telecommunication and the Ministry of Energy & Environmental Sustainability, is powering the third edition of its flagship event, the Sustainability & Renewable Energy Forum (SAREF 3.0). This forum brings together industry leaders, policymakers and experts from the global energy and sustainability sectors to work together in driving the transition towards a sustainable energy future.

SAREF 3.0 will take place at the Borneo Convention Centre in Kuching, Sarawak, on 6 and 7 September. The forum’s theme, "Regional Net Zero and Sustainable Communities, Renewable Energy Development and Interconnections," will focus on regional net-zero initiatives as well as green energy development and solutions. The theme is particularly relevant, with scientists reporting that the month of July experienced record-breaking high temperatures on a global scale.

The event will be officiated by the Premier of Sarawak, The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg on the first day.

Leading the list of speakers at SAREF 3.0 is Dame Christiana Figueres, a key leader and visionary in sustainability and climate action who played a pivotal role in uniting nearly two hundred countries as parties to the Paris Agreement.

The former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) will be featured in a special panel session entitled: A Shared Energy Future - Partnership and Collaboration, moderated by NBCUniversal Catalyst’s Sharanjit Leyl.

Joining her in the panel session are ASEAN Centre for Energy Executive Director Dr Nuki Agya Utama, Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer Datu Haji Sharbini Suhaili and PETRONAS President and Group Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Tengku Muhammad Taufik.

“Our panellists and speakers will provide perspectives and insight on how we can encourage the development and sharing of renewables in Southeast Asia, the necessary policies and mindset shifts necessary for greater uptake of an electrified transport system to transform our cities, explore what else can be done to resource the energy transition so that it is just and inclusive, and discuss ESG and energy financing.

“Our plenaries will deliberate what we need to do to achieve common prosperity by meeting the demands of growing energy needs while addressing the trilemma of security, affordability, and sustainability,” said Sharbini, who is also the chairman of SAREF 3.0.

Sarawak Energy organised the first of the biennial SAREFs in 2019 to commence a 10-year thought leadership campaign aimed at igniting a conversation on renewable energy and actionable solutions in Southeast Asia, focusing on meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

The discourse continued with SAREF 2.0 in 2021, 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.

With a focus on Regional Net Zero and Sustainable Communities, SAREF 3.0 will look to explore how Southeast Asian countries can achieve ambitious net-zero targets through a just and inclusive energy transition centred on people and sustainable communities, driven by renewable energy development and regional interconnections.

The two-day forum will also feature an exhibition and podium pitches showcasing initiatives and products related to renewable energy strategies and technologies.

Concluding the conference is the Energy Leaders Forum, led by Sharbini and featuring panellists including Sustainability Energy Development Authority of Malaysia (SEDA) Chief Executive Officer Dato Hamzah Hussin, Sembcorp Industries Group President and Chief Executive Officer Wong Kim Yin and PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) President Director Darmawan Prasodjo.

Detailed information of speakers, sponsorship and exhibition packages, as well as how to register as a delegate, can be accessed through the official website at www.saref.com.my.

Premier of Sarawak, YAB Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg (fifth from left) posing with a SAREF 3.0 promotional banner together with Yusri Safri, Senior Vice President for Contract & Procurement, Sarawak Energy (sixth from left), during Sarawak Energy’s courtesy visit to the Premier’s Office on 8 Aug 2023.

Also pictured are (from left to right) Dr. Asleena Helmi, GM for Corporate Communication, Sarawak Energy, Baharudin Jili, Senior Manager for Government Relations, Event Management and Protocol, Sarawak Energy, YB Dr. Haji Hazland Abang Hipni, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, YB Datuk Haji Julaihi Haji Narawi, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication for Sarawak, Datuk Amar Haji Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Sarawak State Secretary; YB Datuk Dr. Haji Abdul Rahman Haji Junaidi, Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication II (Utility); and Peing Tajang, Vice President for Corporate Shared Services, Sarawak Energy.

Dame Christiana Figueres, the former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), will be featured in a special panel session entitled: A Shared Energy Future - Partnership and Collaboration.

A key leader and visionary in sustainability and climate action, she played a pivotal role in uniting nearly two hundred countries as parties to the Paris Agreement.

Also featured in the special panel session entitled: A Shared Energy Future - Partnership and Collaboration is Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer Datu Haji Sharbini Suhaili, who is also the chairman of SAREF 3.0.

Sarawak Energy organised the first SAREF in 2019 to commence a 10-year thought leadership campaign aimed at igniting a conversation on renewable energy and actionable solutions in Southeast Asia, focusing on meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

SAREF 3.0 will be held on 6 and 7 September at the Borneo Convention Centre in Kuching, Sarawak.

Organised with the support of the Ministry of Utility & Telecommunication and the Ministry of Energy & Environmental Sustainability, the forum this year will be themed, "Regional Net Zero and Sustainable Communities, Renewable Energy Development and Interconnections”.