KUCHING: The state’s energy source must be prudently managed to ensure the state’s economic growth benefit the people.
According to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi (Dr) Abang Johari Tun Openg, Sarawak has three sources of energy which is natural gas, coal and hydro.
He added that there is another source of energy worth exploring which is hydrogen gas, a future energy source due to development in technology.
“Hence, we are very fortunate because we have all these resources but they must be prudently managed and we also have the expertise to organise our energy resources in order to move the state’s economy,” Johari said in his speech at the Sarawak Energy Ramah Tamah AidilFitri held at Sarawak Energy’s headquarters in Kuching Isthmus, yesterday.
He added that with the cheapest electricity tariff in the country, this would also give a positive effect to the state’s economic development which in turn will benefit the people.
Johari also noted that Sarawak’s future is bright with the new business model and new technology coming in.
He said there is no longer a talk about the old business model and the agriculture sector has to be revolutionised into a modern agriculture using modern technology.
“The new agriculture sector is based on modern technology where energy is important and required in the production process,” he said.
Earlier on, Sarawak Energy chairman Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sapawi said that Sarawak Energy has achieved 95 per cent of coverage for the whole of Sarawak.
“Rural electrification coverage went up from 87 per cent in 2016 to 91 per cent at the end of 2017, and we will keep up the momentum from now until 2025,” he said.
Hamed also noted that Sarawak Energy key focus area in order to become a top quartile power utility.
“As part of the delivery mechanism in pursuit of excellence, Sarawak Energy is embracing technology as we move towards becoming a digital utility that aims to deliver reliable, renewable and affordable energy for all of Sarawak and its people.
“This is in support of and in tandem with the State’s ambition for Sarawak to become a digital economy,” he said.
Also present were the Chief Minister wife’s Datin Amar Dato Juma’aini Tun Tuanku Haji Bujang, State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Minister of Utilities Datuk Stephen Rundi Utom and other distinguished guests.
