(Kuching, 25th) Sarawak is striving to achieve the Sarawak-Brunei power interconnection by 2030, with an initial export capacity of 30 to 50 megawatts (MW).
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari emphasized that Sarawak also hopes to export about 30 to 50 megawatts of renewable energy to Sabah by the end of the year, which will be achieved through a 34-kilometer, 275 kV transmission line.
"In the meantime, I am pleased to inform everyone that recently, our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar asked Sarawak to consider supplying renewable energy to southern Philippines."
He said that with the Sarawak-Sabah interconnection network being energized this year, this aspiration can be realized, particularly through the Sabah-Palawan interconnection project, which is currently being studied through the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and the broader ASEAN framework.
Abang Johari said this during the keynote speech at the EIC Connect Energy Borneo 2025.
He further emphasized that the 1-gigawatt interconnection project to Singapore is making progress, noting that Malaysia and Singapore have reached an agreement.
"Technical discussions are currently in the final stages. Given the complexity of installing one of the world's few long-distance submarine cables, we are working closely with all stakeholders, including Indonesia."
Sarawak Premier Abang Johari aims to achieve a renewable energy capacity of 10 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and expand it to 15 gigawatts by 2035, reiterating Sarawak's commitment to supporting Southeast Asia's clean energy transition through regional energy cooperation.
Currently, over 70% of Sarawak's electricity comes from hydropower, making it one of the countries with the lowest carbon emissions in the ASEAN power sector.
"Together with Indonesia, we have the potential to become the 'Battery of ASEAN,' providing renewable energy to our Southeast Asian neighbors through an interconnected Borneo and ASEAN grid."
He said that as Malaysia is the ASEAN Chair this year, Sarawak is working with the federal government to deepen regional cooperation and promote greater energy connectivity.
Meanwhile, EIC Connect Energy Borneo 2025 gathered over 1,200 industry leaders, innovators, and stakeholders from the global energy sector in Kuching, Sarawak.
The event invited more than 80 renowned speakers to explore major trends, challenges, and opportunities impacting the energy landscape in over 25 insightful sessions.