KOTA KINABALU: Sarawak Energy Berhad and Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd have been hailed as two key utility champions capable of driving the long-aspired ASEAN Power Grid.
ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) executive director Datuk Abdul Razib Dawood said this came following the successful implementation of the Sarawak–Sabah power interconnection
He said the interconnection represents an important milestone not only for both states, but also for the broader ASEAN energy landscape, describing it as a crucial sub-regional step towards realising the Borneo Grid and, eventually, a fully integrated ASEAN Power Grid linking all 11 ASEAN member states.
“This project may involve two states, but in the bigger picture, it will grow further — to Brunei, to parts of Indonesia such as Kalimantan, possibly Mindanao in the Philippines, and even to Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore,” he told reporters when met at the officiating ceremony of the Energisation of the Sarawak-Sabah Power Grid Interconnection Project held at the Sabah International Convention Centre here today (Jan 24).
Abdul Razib said the project clearly demonstrated that power system integration strengthens participating grids, even without perfect conditions.
“You do not have to wait for a perfect system. Sarawak helping Sabah strengthens Sabah, and at the same time Sabah continues to strengthen its own internal grid. These two efforts go hand in hand and reinforce each other,” he said.
He explained that system integration enhances energy security by improving reserve margins, including spinning reserves and daily operating reserves, while complementing Sabah’s ongoing grid enhancement projects.
“When you integrate power systems, you actually enhance security. This interconnection helps Sabah improve its reserve margin and system reliability, while supporting its grid upgrading efforts,” he said.
Abdul Razib said the Sarawak–Sabah project should be viewed as an implementation step with long-term regional implications.
“This is an implementation for Sabah and Sarawak today, but in the bigger picture, it will grow into the Borneo Grid,” he said.
He added that leadership from Sarawak Energy and Sabah Electricity is critical in inspiring similar cooperation across the region.
“We need leadership and champions in ASEAN. Sarawak Energy and Sabah Electricity are two utility champions that can drive other utilities in Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei and across the ASEAN region,” he said.
He added that the collaboration between the two utilities stands as testimony that ASEAN utilities can work together professionally and technically to strengthen regional cooperation.
“This may be a small step, but it leads to a giant step towards realising the ASEAN Power Grid. We have been dreaming of this for more than 30 years, and now we need leadership from Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
Echoing this, Sarawak Energy Berhad Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili said the interconnection marks a significant step towards realising the Borneo Grid as a core component of the ASEAN Power Grid.
“If we can realise the ASEAN Power Grid through the Borneo Grid, we can share renewable energy from Sarawak and Borneo with other parts of ASEAN, helping the region transition towards a lower-carbon economy,” he said.
He added that the initiative aligns with ASEAN’s aspiration to expand renewable energy generation, describing the interconnection as a meaningful step towards a more sustainable regional power system.
He said the interconnection represents an important milestone not only for both states, but also for the broader ASEAN energy landscape, describing it as a crucial sub-regional step towards realising the Borneo Grid and, eventually, a fully integrated ASEAN Power Grid linking all 11 ASEAN member states.
“This project may involve two states, but in the bigger picture, it will grow further — to Brunei, to parts of Indonesia such as Kalimantan, possibly Mindanao in the Philippines, and even to Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore,” he told reporters when met at the officiating ceremony of the Energisation of the Sarawak-Sabah Power Grid Interconnection Project held at the Sabah International Convention Centre here today (Jan 24).
Abdul Razib said the project clearly demonstrated that power system integration strengthens participating grids, even without perfect conditions.
“You do not have to wait for a perfect system. Sarawak helping Sabah strengthens Sabah, and at the same time Sabah continues to strengthen its own internal grid. These two efforts go hand in hand and reinforce each other,” he said.
He explained that system integration enhances energy security by improving reserve margins, including spinning reserves and daily operating reserves, while complementing Sabah’s ongoing grid enhancement projects.
“When you integrate power systems, you actually enhance security. This interconnection helps Sabah improve its reserve margin and system reliability, while supporting its grid upgrading efforts,” he said.
Abdul Razib said the Sarawak–Sabah project should be viewed as an implementation step with long-term regional implications.
“This is an implementation for Sabah and Sarawak today, but in the bigger picture, it will grow into the Borneo Grid,” he said.
He added that leadership from Sarawak Energy and Sabah Electricity is critical in inspiring similar cooperation across the region.
“We need leadership and champions in ASEAN. Sarawak Energy and Sabah Electricity are two utility champions that can drive other utilities in Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei and across the ASEAN region,” he said.
He added that the collaboration between the two utilities stands as testimony that ASEAN utilities can work together professionally and technically to strengthen regional cooperation.
“This may be a small step, but it leads to a giant step towards realising the ASEAN Power Grid. We have been dreaming of this for more than 30 years, and now we need leadership from Sabah and Sarawak,” he said.
Echoing this, Sarawak Energy Berhad Group Chief Executive Officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili said the interconnection marks a significant step towards realising the Borneo Grid as a core component of the ASEAN Power Grid.
“If we can realise the ASEAN Power Grid through the Borneo Grid, we can share renewable energy from Sarawak and Borneo with other parts of ASEAN, helping the region transition towards a lower-carbon economy,” he said.
He added that the initiative aligns with ASEAN’s aspiration to expand renewable energy generation, describing the interconnection as a meaningful step towards a more sustainable regional power system.