(Kuala Lumpur, 26th) Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg pointed out that Sarawak's hydropower potential alone could reach up to 24 gigawatts (GW), far surpassing current renewable energy targets and further consolidating Sarawak's status as a major regional clean energy producer.
He said Sarawak's goal is to produce 10 GW of renewable energy by 2030, with the main source being hydropower.
Currently, about 70% of Sarawak’s electricity comes from hydropower, provided by five operational dams, with a combined capacity of about 7 GW; the remaining 30% comes from low-carbon gas turbine power generation.
During the "Energy Transition and the ASEAN Power Grid – Connecting Markets, Securing Futures" panel discussion, held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) as part of the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2025 (ABIS 2025), Abang Johari said:
"In addition to large dams, Sarawak has many rivers that can generate electricity through 'cascading dams.' These types of dams do not require flooding large areas but instead utilize gravitational potential energy to produce another form of renewable energy.
"With our existing resources, our targets can certainly surpass the originally set levels. In terms of hydropower potential alone, Sarawak could reach 24 GW."
He added that besides hydropower, Sarawak is also expanding its renewable energy mix by developing floating and elevated solar systems, as well as producing biomass energy using biochar feedstock to gradually replace coal-fired power generation.
Abang Johari pointed out that with its vast future energy potential, Sarawak has the capacity to share clean energy with its ASEAN neighbors.
"Currently, we are supplying 300 megawatts (MW) of power to Indonesia's West Kalimantan region. With the Asian Development Bank (ADB) upgrading the regional power grid infrastructure, I believe we can further increase our power supply to Indonesia."
He revealed that Sarawak is also transmitting 100 MW of electricity to Sabah, and is preparing to export an additional 100 to 150 MW to Brunei.
In addition, Singapore has also expressed interest in importing 1 GW of green energy from Sarawak, and both parties are in discussions regarding interconnection of their power grids.
"The interconnection between Sarawak and Singapore will become part of the ASEAN power grid. The Prime Minister has also tasked us with studying the feasibility of connecting the Sabah power grid to southern Philippines.
"If these plans are successfully implemented, by 2030 or 2035, we will be able to export surplus power to neighboring countries."
The panel was moderated by ASEAN Centre for Energy Executive Director Dato Abdul Razib Dawood. The other three panelists included: Asian Development Bank (ADB) Director General for Southeast Asia Winfried Wicklein, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) President and CEO Datuk Megat Jalaluddin Megat Hassan, and Vietnam National Industrial and Energy Group Vice President Le Manh Cuong.
He said Sarawak's goal is to produce 10 GW of renewable energy by 2030, with the main source being hydropower.
Currently, about 70% of Sarawak’s electricity comes from hydropower, provided by five operational dams, with a combined capacity of about 7 GW; the remaining 30% comes from low-carbon gas turbine power generation.
During the "Energy Transition and the ASEAN Power Grid – Connecting Markets, Securing Futures" panel discussion, held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) as part of the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2025 (ABIS 2025), Abang Johari said:
"In addition to large dams, Sarawak has many rivers that can generate electricity through 'cascading dams.' These types of dams do not require flooding large areas but instead utilize gravitational potential energy to produce another form of renewable energy.
"With our existing resources, our targets can certainly surpass the originally set levels. In terms of hydropower potential alone, Sarawak could reach 24 GW."
He added that besides hydropower, Sarawak is also expanding its renewable energy mix by developing floating and elevated solar systems, as well as producing biomass energy using biochar feedstock to gradually replace coal-fired power generation.
Abang Johari pointed out that with its vast future energy potential, Sarawak has the capacity to share clean energy with its ASEAN neighbors.
"Currently, we are supplying 300 megawatts (MW) of power to Indonesia's West Kalimantan region. With the Asian Development Bank (ADB) upgrading the regional power grid infrastructure, I believe we can further increase our power supply to Indonesia."
He revealed that Sarawak is also transmitting 100 MW of electricity to Sabah, and is preparing to export an additional 100 to 150 MW to Brunei.
In addition, Singapore has also expressed interest in importing 1 GW of green energy from Sarawak, and both parties are in discussions regarding interconnection of their power grids.
"The interconnection between Sarawak and Singapore will become part of the ASEAN power grid. The Prime Minister has also tasked us with studying the feasibility of connecting the Sabah power grid to southern Philippines.
"If these plans are successfully implemented, by 2030 or 2035, we will be able to export surplus power to neighboring countries."
The panel was moderated by ASEAN Centre for Energy Executive Director Dato Abdul Razib Dawood. The other three panelists included: Asian Development Bank (ADB) Director General for Southeast Asia Winfried Wicklein, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) President and CEO Datuk Megat Jalaluddin Megat Hassan, and Vietnam National Industrial and Energy Group Vice President Le Manh Cuong.