SINGAPORE, Oct 21 — Sarawak is committed to supporting Southeast Asia’s transition to renewable energy by harnessing its potential to become the “Battery of Asean”, supplying predominantly renewable power through the interconnected Borneo and Asean Power Grid.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said as regional demand for clean energy increases, these efforts are crucial for enhancing cross-border energy exchange, strengthening regional energy security, and accelerating clean energy transition.
“Looking ahead to the Asean Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation for the 2026–2030 period, and with Malaysia set to assume the Asean chair in 2025, we are committed to deepening regional cooperation and fostering greater connectivity across our energy systems,” he said in his keynote address at the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW) Summit on Monday.
The premier, in pushing the envelope further, said making the Asean Power Grid a reality would require more than just technological and financial solutions.
“It needs political will, policy alignment, harmonisation of regulations and standards, infrastructure development, and regional cooperation.”
Abang Johari said Sarawak is collaborating with the federal government to advance the Asean Power Grid, with the formation of a joint taskforce between Malaysia and Indonesia to accelerate its development.
He emphasised that Sarawak is not only focused on providing clean power for its own development but also sees significant commercial potential in exporting electricity.
Abang Johari said the state is a strong proponent of regional interconnectivity, foreseeing that power trade within Asean will gradually shift from bilateral connections to a more integrated network incorporating renewable sources.
He said Sarawak’s partnerships with Indonesia, Sabah, Brunei and Singapore could serve as a foundation for cross-border energy trade through pioneering projects such as the Borneo-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines Interconnection.
Abang Johari shared that since 2012, Sarawak has formed a partnership with Indonesia’s Perusahaan Listrik Negara in the Kalimantan region, marking a significant step towards regional energy collaboration in Borneo.
Building on this foundation, he said Sarawak is advancing the Mentarang Induk Hydroelectric Plant (MIHEP) in Indonesia, a project that promises to reshape the nation’s energy landscape, and explore the potential to link North Kalimantan’s significant hydropower resources to the rest of Borneo and beyond.
“From our role as energy producer, exporter and utiliser, Sarawak is committed to foster cross-border partnerships and investments as our energy transition success stories can serve as models for other jurisdictions.”
Speaking at a press conference later, Abang Johari said discussions are still ongoing with Indonesia regarding Sarawak’s undersea cable project to export electricity to Singapore, with hopes that the infrastructure could be ready by 2030.
“Next year, Malaysia as the chair of Asean will initiate further on this.” — Bernama
