Sarawak receives global recognition for renewable energy management

KUCHING (Nov 7): The appointment of Sarawak-owned utility company, Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), as a global patron of the World Energy Council (WEC) is a testament to the world’s recognition of the region’s efficient management of its renewable energy resources.

Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg highlighted that in addition to having access to renewable energy sources, good governance in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has bolstered global confidence in Sarawak’s energy management efforts.

“We are fortunate that they have placed their confidence in us by appointing SEB as a patron of WEC.

“This is significant. It means the world acknowledges Sarawak’s approach to energy management, how we produce energy, and the long-term role that Sarawak and Malaysia will play in the new energy transition,” he said in an exclusive interview with Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas) and TV Sarawak (TVS) after participating as a panellist in a focus discussion at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (Adipec) 2024 held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec) on Wednesday.

SEB was officially appointed as a WEC patron on March 29 this year, making it the first company from Southeast Asia to join the ranks of patrons from across America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Ukas reported.

As part of this agreement, SEB, one of Southeast Asia’s major hydropower developers, will support WEC’s efforts to drive global energy transition.

Meanwhile, Abang Johari stated that Sarawak’s aggressive involvement in the renewable energy sector will further expand the region’s economic resources.

He explained that it would attract investors to Sarawak as they would have confidence in the region’s reliable energy supply.

“When this happens, it will serve as a prerequisite for investors to come to Sarawak and operate here.

“This, in turn, will create new job opportunities and generate additional income,” he added.

Accompanying Abang Johari at Abu Dhabi were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi, State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, Deputy Minister for Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh, Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, SEB chairman Dato Ibrahim Baki and other senior Sarawak government officials.