Sarawak to complete Borneo Grid before power export to Philippines
KOTA KINABALU: Sarawak will complete its Borneo Grid before advancing plans to supply electricity to the Philippines via Sabah, Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said.
The proposal to supply electricity to the Philippines came from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, he said.
"This means that once we've completed the grid in Borneo, we can consider long-term plans as proposed by the prime minister.
"It is a long-term plan. It needs to be studied — we must assess both viability and feasibility to ensure the submarine cables are stable," he told reporters after witnessing the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) and the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication Sarawak.
Sarawak announced plans last October for a massive electricity - supply route, aiming to establish the Trans Borneo Power Grid to provide electricity to Sabah and Kalimantan.
The overland power grid system is set to illuminate the entire Borneo Island, with Sarawak supplying electricity to both regions from its extensive hydro-power dams, including the colossal RM15 billion Bakun Dam in central Sarawak.
Julaihi said Sarawak would first prioritise supplying 30 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Sabah.
"Yes, we have signed a Power Exchange Programme with Sabah, where we initially agreed to supply 30 MW, subject to the completion of the grid in northern Sarawak.
"Once that's ready, God willing, we can supply 30 MW, and possibly increase it to 50 MW. If there is higher demand, we may consider supplying up to 80 MW, depending on the capacity of Sabah's grid.
"Based on current progress, I believe it's in its final stages. Our target is to complete it by the end of the year," Julaihi said.
He also said that Sarawak has ambitious plans to establish itself as a major energy hub for Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
Beyond ongoing projects, the state is targeting electricity exports of 1,000 MW to Singapore and another 1,000 MW to Peninsular Malaysia.
"This means we will use submarine cables from Kuching to Singapore and from Kuching to Peninsular Malaysia," Julaihi said.
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