Sarawak aims to be Asean’s green energy powerhouse by 2035
KUCHING (Feb 10): The Sarawak government aspires to boost electricity capacity to 10 gigawatts (GW) by 2030 and 15GW by 2035, strengthening Sarawak as a green energy powerhouse in Asean, said Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
The Premier said that this expansion supports industries, advances green technologies and enables regional electricity exports.
“We are not stopping here. Sarawak aims to be the ‘Battery of Asean’ by supplying clean energy and enhancing cross-border interconnectivity.
“Through the Asean Power Grid initiative, we are strengthening regional energy security while exploring storage solutions to optimise supply and distribution,” he told a public lecture at the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore today.
Abang Johari said that with Asia’s growing demand for clean fuel, Sarawak is scaling up commercial green hydrogen production, leveraging the state’s abundant hydropower.
He pointed out that partnerships with Japan, South Korea and China are expanding Sarawak’s hydrogen supply chain, positioning the state as a leader in the Asia-Pacific green hydrogen economy.
“However, green hydrogen alone cannot eliminate emissions across all industries. Sarawak is integrating carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors while unlocking new low-carbon economic opportunities,” he said.
He noted that Malaysia and Japan are strengthening bilateral cooperation in the development and trade of ammonia, recognising ammonia role as a low-carbon energy carrier and a key solution for decarbonisation.
According to him, this collaboration aligns with both countries’ clean energy transition strategies, with Sarawak positioned as a key supplier of low-carbon ammonia to Japan.
“Building on this, we are collaborating with Japan to convert methane into ammonia using syngas technology, maximising resource efficiency while reducing emissions.
“These innovations are crucial in cutting carbon emissions and reinforcing Sarawak’s role in industrial decarbonisation,” he said.
Abang Johari remarked that Sarawak is also scaling up low-carbon fuel production to further support industrial and energy transition efforts.
“We are expanding our low-carbon fuel initiatives. In July 2024, the Sarawak Methanol Complex was launched to drive industrial growth and support the transition to greener fuel alternatives.
“Last month marked a key milestone in our green energy transition with the sail-away of Sarawak Petchem’s first methanol export to China and the groundbreaking of the Green Methanol Plant.
“This new facility will enhance our capacity for sustainable fuel production, driving industrial growth and supporting the broader energy transition,” he said.
Once operational, he said the plant will enhance low-carbon methanol production, supporting the chemical industry, power generation, transportation and green bunkering as a sustainable fuel for the shipping industry.
These initiatives, he said, are key to Sarawak’s broader decarbonisation strategy, integrating renewable energy and carbon capture technologies to lower emissions across industries.
“As part of our low-carbon transition, we are optimising natural gas resources for a structured shift to cleaner energy. Launched last November, the Sarawak Gas Roadmap outlines strategies to maximise natural gas utilisation while integrating renewables and CCUS to strengthen energy security and sustainability,” he added.
Abang Johari said that at the same time, biomass plays a key role in Sarawak’s energy transition, where agricultural waste is being converted into biofuels, biogas and syngas to support industrial decarbonisation.
Expanding on this commitment to clean energy, research into microalgae-based Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is progressing, offering new opportunities to reduce emissions in the aviation sector, he said.
“Sarawak’s journey for sustainable growth extends to urban development and digital transformation, creating efficient, connected and green cities,” he added.
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