KUCHING: Singapore has been encouraged to invest in Sarawak should the republic need more power supply for its energy-intensive industries.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said with the investments from Singapore, it is expected that more high-paying jobs would be created for the people in Sarawak.
“Sarawak is supplying energy to Singapore of up to a maximum 1,000 megawatt (MW), and if Singapore needs more energy (more than 1,000MW), then it can position the investment in Sarawak.
“We can work together on this and this is the sort of understanding between Singapore and Sarawak,” he said.
“Hence, I emphasise on the importance of education so we can train and supply the right human resources who can work with their Singapore counterparts,” he said.
He told reporters this after delivering his keynote address at the 2023 World Green and Sustainability Summit on “Building a Better Future Through Green Growth” at USCI Hotel on today.
Earlier, in his speech, Abang Johari said Singapore can set up its data centre in Sarawak if the state supplies more than 1,000MW of energy to the island.
“If it is beyond 1,000MW, they can position the data centre in Sarawak. So Singapore agreed.
“In other words it is not for sale but based on the understanding between Singapore and Sarawak,” he said.
He also said Sarawak is ready to supply electricity to Peninsular Malaysia through the undersea cable across the South China Sea as renewable energy should be made available for everybody, especially in the fight against climate change.
“But, currently, we are unable to supply hydropower to other states in the country as we (Sarawak) are not the members of the Energy Commission of Malaysia – which regulates the energy sector, specifically the electricity and piped gas supply industries in Peninsular Malaysia.
“We are aware that there are negative views from our friends in West Malaysia, questioning why we are sending (exporting) our hydropower to Singapore but not to them (West Malaysia).
“So, I would like to clarify this … but, if they are having problems (energy shortage) and they need our help (energy), we can supply hydropower to them by extending the undersea cable to Johor,” he explained.
He also said Sarawak aims to be a regional clean energy powerhouse by generating 15 per cent of income from foreign markets through renewable energy (RE).
To achieve this, he said, Sarawak increased interconnectivity with other regions through 1,400 kilometres (km) of new transmission line of 500 kilovolts (kV) including 600 kilometres (km) of undersea cable across the South China Sea.
“One of our initiatives is for Sarawak to potentially export hydropower to Singapore through submarine cables. As you may know, Singapore requires significant energy supply for its industries. Sarawak may be able to provide Singapore with our green and RE generated from our hydroelectric dams.”
This initiative supports Singapore’s aspiration to reduce the carbon footprint of the power sector by importing 30 per cent of its electricity from low-carbon sources by 2025.
Abang Johari also said that he met with the Government of Singapore to discuss collaboration on renewable energy and the hydrogen economy; where the initial engagements with Singapore have been positive and currently a survey is being conducted to explore the potential of power connection between Sarawak and Singapore.
Sarawak, he said, has the potential to generate 20,000 MW of hydropower if more dams are built; which will also increase its electricity export as well.
Apart from the dams in Bakun, Murum and Batang Ai which are owned by SEB, he said, the Baleh Dam is capable of generating 1,285MW, once it is commissioned by 2027.
“We are also in the midst of studying the concept of cascading dam to produce power modelled on the Tasmanian and Nordic countries and cascading dam in River Danube, Europe,” he said.
He added Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) is already exporting electricity to West Kalimantan, Indonesia and will be exporting to Sabah by 2024.
“Besides Singapore, we are looking into exporting electricity to Brunei as well,” he said.
