Headline Sarawak to electrify Sabah from end-2023 MediaTitle The Star Date 09 Aug 2021 Language English Circulation 175,986 Readership 527,958 Section StarBiz Page No 3 ArticleSize 460 cm² Journalist By JACK WONG PR Value RM 69,717 ENERGY By JACK WONG Sarawak to electrify KUCHING: Sarawak is set to export an initial 30 megawatt (MW) of electricity to Sabah for 15 years, from end-2023. The power export will be via a 31km 275kV Sabah from end-2023 double circuit transmission line which will run from Lawas in northern Sarawak to Mengalong in Sabah. Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) and Syarikat SESCO Bhd, a subsidiary of Sarawak Power-export deal is set for 15 years Energy Bhd, had signed a power exchange agreement and an interconnection agree- wmmmmmammmmimmmm^m 944MW Murum dam and a smaller Batang Ai ment via a virtual ceremony last Friday. dam. This marked a historical milestone in the It is now constructing the 1,285MW Baleh journey towards materialising the Borneo "This project is hydro dam. All the dams are located in the Grid and the wider Asean Power Grid. upper reaches of the Rejang River in Kapit SESCO has been exporting electricity to a/so expected to division. west Kalimantan in Indonesia for several Tenaga Nasional Bhd chairman Datuk Seri years. facilitate economic Mahdzir Khalid said the agreements signed The signatories for the agreements were was paramount in line with SESB SESB CEO Datuk Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid collaboration Sustainability Plan and the aspiration of and Sarawak Energy group CEO Datuk BIMP-EAGA and the Heads of Asean Power Sharbini Suhaili. between the Utilities/Authorities. Sarawak Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi two states." Johari said the SESB-Sarawak Energy col- Abang Johari Tun Openg and his Sabah coun- laboration would bring Sabah and Sarawak terpart Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor were Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi closer to a sustainable energy future, further among those who witnessed the event. contributing to the reduction of carbon emis- The interconnection is expected to com- sions in the region. mence by end-2023 once the grid expansion It will also ensure energy supply security under the Sarawak Energy's Northern Agenda and bilaterally optimised operation costs has connected Miri to the northern towns of while attracting investments for economic Limbang and Lawas in Sarawak, according to he pointed out. Sarawak and provide power for its growth. transformation in the Borneo region. a SESB-Sarawak Energy joint statement. Abdul Hamed said the Sarawak-Sabah These resources, according to the utility Building upon the proven success of its Sarawak Energy chairman Datuk Amar partnership will be one step closer to materi- body, have enabled it to offer reliable and renewable energy development strategy, he Abdul Hamed Sepawi said this interconnec- alising the Borneo Grid agenda and could act competitively-priced electricity to its domes- said, Sarawak Energy is spearheading the tion project is expected to diversify the gener- as a catalyst for the wider Asean Power Grid. tic, commercial and industrial and export green energy agenda to promote a low car- ation mix for Sabah and Sarawak while In 2016, Sarawak began export electricity customers. bon economy and transformation through enhancing system reliability and security by to west Kalimantan through a 120km 275kV Sarawak Energy's electricity supply is pre- the development of cleaner energy alterna- sharing generation resources for both double circuit transmission line stretching dominantly renewable, following Sarawak's tives such as hydrogen and solar. Sarawak Energy and Sabah Electricity. from Mambong in southern Sarawak to pivot to renewable energy resources under According to Sarawak Energy, Sarawak has 'This project is also expected to facilitate Bengkayang in west Kalimantan. the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy recorded a reduction in carbon intensity for economic collaboration between the two Sarawak Energy is Malaysia's largest strategic initiative. power generation by 76.5% from 2009 to states, accelerating energy transformation renewable energy provider, harnessing its Sarawak Energy owns and operates the 2020, contributing to global climate action and supporting economic growth in Borneo," abundant natural resources to light up 2,400MW Bakun hydro electric dam and efforts. .