Abang Johari: Three strategic priorities identified for post-completion phase of Baleh Dam
Abang Johari speaking to the press during his working visit to the Baleh Hydroelectric Dam.
BALEH (June 16): The Sarawak government has identified three key strategic priorities for the post-completion phase of the Baleh Hydroelectric Dam, positioning the state as a regional leader in green energy development.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced that these priorities are biodiversity conservation, agricultural development, and the protection of wildlife habitats.
The Premier stressed that post-project planning is crucial to ensure that the benefits of power generation are achieved without compromising environmental sustainability and the well-being of local communities.
'This approach is vital to ensure that our energy development does not come at the expense of the environment or local livelihoods,' he said in a Sarawak Public Communications Unit news report during his working visit to the Baleh Hydroelectric Dam site today.
He stressed that once the dam is completed by 2027, Sarawak Energy must roll out a comprehensive biodiversity agenda aligned with green economy principles.
Among the major initiatives proposed is a large-scale reforestation programme to restore forest biodiversity impacted by the dam's development.
Agricultural activities will also be introduced in surrounding areas to create new economic opportunities for local communities.
Abang Johari further highlighted the importance of preserving and rehabilitating wildlife habitats in the region.
He directed Sarawak Energy to work closely with the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), Sarawak Forest Department, and Sarawak Agriculture Department to carry out this green agenda.
'These efforts must be aligned with the involvement of local communities and businesses,' he said.
This approach, he added, is in line with the state government's long-term goal to ensure that energy development moves hand in hand with environmental conservation, particularly in the face of global climate change.
'We have learned from the development experiences in Batang Ai and Bakun. Now, we are adapting our strategies to meet global climate demands,' he noted.
The Baleh Hydroelectric Project, currently in its second phase of construction, is expected to be completed by the end of 2029, with a generation capacity of 1.2 gigawatts.
The project forms a key component of Sarawak's strategic roadmap to become a leading green energy producer in the region by 2030. Abang Johari Tun Openg Baleh Hydroelectric Dam green energy strategic
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