KUCHING: The Sarawak Utilities Ministry is looking into incorporating more sustainable and renewable energy such as large-scale solar energy into its generation mix in the near future.
Ministry of Utilities permanent secretary Datuk Alice Jawan said this was in line with the ministry’s subscription to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to provide greater access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy and reducing carbon emission intensity to mitigate climate change.
She said Sarawak’s generation mix had transitioned significantly from predominantly fossil-based energy generation in 2010 to about 70 percent hydropower today.
“Currently, solar generation is used to electrify remote rural villages as part of our off-grid solutions.
“Therefore, we are looking into the possibilities to incorporate more renewable energy into our generation mix. This is projected to be about four percent in 2030,” she said during the launch of the ‘Investment Opportunities and Incentives in Green Technology-Solar Thermal’ seminar at the Riverside Majestic Hotel-Astana Wing, yesterday.
She said Sarawak had challenging terrain and dispersed population throughout Sarawak also made it difficult for the main grid to reach the interiors. Thus, off-grid power generation, which uses solar hybrid and micro hydro, was the best option for these remote rural areas.
“Through intense and focused effort, the ministry as the policymaker and regulator of water, electricity and gas in the state has been working closely with Sarawak Energy to increase electricity coverage in Sarawak.”
She said the state had managed to increase the percentage of electrification from 56 percent to 92.6 percent within a 10-year period and aimed to connect more than 30,000 remaining rural households towards achieving full electrification by 2025.
“To ensure 99 percent electricity supply for households by the end of next year and full electrification for all Sarawakians by 2025, the state government has already implemented several initiatives for this purpose,” Alice said.
Among them, she shared, were the Rural Electrification Scheme, Solar and Mini Hydro Hybrid programme, Rural Power Supply Scheme and the award-winning Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme initiative.
“Sarawak is receptive to the advancement of technology and innovation. We are exploring new and the latest technology for sustainable energy development.
“We welcome new proposals from the industry players. Through using renewables, we will improve the quality of life for all Sarawakians,” she stressed.
