KUCHING, Oct 6 — Sarawak will produce a total of 170 megawatts (MW) of solar energy in Batang Ai, making it the largest solar power facility in Malaysia.
According to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg, the figure covers the existing 50MW production from the floating solar installation and an additional 120MW to be developed by Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB).
“There is an interest to produce solar energy from the Batang Ai area facility, meaning the total solar energy produced will be 120 (MW) plus the existing 50 (MW), that means 170, and this will become the biggest in Malaysia,” he told reporters when met after officiating at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Batang Ai hydroelectricity plant at Batang Ai Operator Residence in Sri Aman, near here today.
Abang Johari, also the state minister for energy and environmental sustainability, pointed out that similar interest had also been shown for solar energy production in Bakun, Murum and Baleh.
“I cannot name the company yet, but there is negotiation now on producing solar in Bakun as well as in Murum and upon completion of Baleh (dam), there’s also a party interested to produce solar,” he added.
The premier said SEB’s future direction would involve producing hydro, solar and biomass energy.
“Besides the floating solar, there is a possibility of expanding towards what we call ‘elevated solar’ on land.
“It is elevated, not on the land itself, because we also want to protect the land.
“In other words, there will be dual function,” he said.
Abang Johari said the next focus after solar would be biomass and biogas energy.
“We have done our part with the Salcra (Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority) facility in Lubok Antu, where they can produce waste, one of which is biomass that can be turned into another feedstock for power.”
The premier added that Sarawak’s energy development would remain sustainable and inclusive, with private sector participation in generation and SEB maintaining the control of distribution.
“With all this development coming in, I think our target of 10 gigawatt by 2030 and 15 gigawatt by 2035, based on existing information and data, we can achieve it, but there is a possibility that it could be more,” he pointed out. — The Borneo Post
