Sarawak mulls setting up energy council, says Premier

Borneo Post

4 hours ago

Abang Johari (centre) speaks during a press conference after launching the Sarawak Energy Transition Policy (SET-P) at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today. — Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad
KUCHING (Aug 11): Sarawak is considering establishing an energy council to coordinate stakeholders, businesses, and policies in line with the state's energy agenda, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said the council would be formed after engagements with relevant parties.
'This is part of the process: the engagement with the private sector and the public sector at the meeting point. After that, the policy will be formulated.
'We'll see what happens next year,' said Abang Johari at a press conference after launching the Sarawak Energy Transition Policy (SET-P) at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
Speaking on SET-P, he said it is related to the policies Sarawak wants to develop, namely economic activities, particularly the low-carbon economy.
'It involves the use of environmentally friendly energy, meaning sustainable energy that revolves around renewable energy.
'We have launched our hydrogen policy as well as the low-carbon policy. Today marks the implementation of the energy transition towards another type of economy in line with global demands, as outlined in the outcomes of conferences of the parties starting from Kyoto, Paris, Dubai, and Baku, and possibly in Brazil next year,' he said.
He said the SET-P is aligned with international standards, the global economic landscape, and the requirements of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance.
'We are very fortunate that we have the means to produce renewable energy and a lot of interest from our partners, meaning the global interest in investing in Sarawak because of our ample resources in terms of energy mix, particularly hydro,' he said.
He added that the next wave would focus on Sarawak's solar energy potential and its gas road map.
'We expect investment over the next 10 years, roughly as I mentioned over RM700 billion, because this is a very capital-intensive investment.
'That would produce high-quality jobs and will be part of our preparation by giving free tertiary education to get this workforce employed in the new economy that is being implemented in Sarawak.
'I must also share that the experts who have been observing us acknowledge the fact that we have what we call natural capital,' he said.
However, he said what Sarawak is lacking now is human capital that matches the value chain of its natural capital.
'That is where our policy is brought, and because of the needs of this policy, we have to prepare the younger generation to fill the missing gap between natural capital as well as the new product as a result of a changing economic environment throughout the world.
'So, we are going to be sort of world players in this transition period.
'That's why our energy policy must be clear and today we have this transition policy, so that everybody knows and everybody can participate and formulate their policy towards the needs of the state,' said Abang Johari.