Sarawak, Masdar, Gentari collaborate on floating solar project at Murum Dam

by · Borneo Post Online
Abang Johari (third left, back row) and other distinguished guests witnessing the signing of the Trilateral Malaysia Joint Study Agreement by (from seated left) Sharbini, Mohamed Jameel and Shushil. -Photo by Ukas

KUCHING (Nov 6): The Sarawak government, through Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) on Tuesday signed a Trilateral Malaysia Joint Study Agreement with Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (PSJC) Masdar and clean energy firm Gentari to explore the potential of developing a floating solar project at the Murum Dam.

Under this strategic collaboration, the three parties will undertake a 12-month joint study with the goal of generating up to 1 gigawatt (GW) of solar power from the project, according to a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report today.

The agreement was signed at Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), with SEB represented by its group chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Sharbini Suhaili, while Masdar and Gentari were represented by their respective CEOs, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi and Sushil Purohit.

The signing was witnessed by Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni and SEB chairman Datuk Ibrahim Baki.

Speaking at a press conference, Abang Johari said the mega project is expected to significantly boost Sarawak’s renewable energy output.

“This is a major investment that will enhance Sarawak’s renewable energy capacity,” he stated.

He added that this collaboration could potentially pave the way for other projects to be developed in Sarawak through economic cooperation between Abu Dhabi and Sarawak.

“If successful, this will be the first area in the world to generate up to 1GW of power from floating solar technology. This aligns with Sarawak’s goal of producing 10GW of energy by 2030 as part of our green energy development,” he explained.

The Premier further noted that the project could contribute to the broader goal of creating an interconnected regional energy grid through the Asian Grid initiative, allowing Sarawak to share renewable energy with neighbouring countries.

Sharbini revealed that SEB had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Masdar to implement the project during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai in 2023.

“We have already identified four potential locations for the floating solar installations, with a capacity to generate between 600 megawatts and 1,000 megawatts of solar energy,” he said.

Earlier in the day, Abang Johari and the Sarawak government delegation toured Masdar City, a carbon-free city and leading technology hub in Abu Dhabi.

The delegation also included Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Hamid Bugo, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Husain, and other senior state government officials.