One of the Sarawak state government’s focuses in the process of modernizing local infrastructure is to increase electricity generation using sustainable energy sources. And the largest sustainable energy source in the state is through the use of hydropower dams.
Sarawak’s Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications, Dato Sri Haji Julaihi bin Haji Narawi today announced that by 2025, 60 percent of the state’s electricity generation will come from sustainable energy generation, specifically the use of hydropower dams.
Currently, the dams in operation include the Bakun Hydroelectric Dam which generates 2520 megawatts, the Murum Hydroelectric Dam which generates 944 megawatts and the Batang Ai Hydroelectric Dam which generates 108 megawatts of electricity.
The Baleh Hydroelectric Dam in Kapit which will open in a few years is also expected to supply an additional 1285 megawatts of electricity that can be utilized not only by the people of Sarawak, but also by various industries which will further increase the country’s competitiveness.
To increase the use of sustainable energy sources, the state government is also considering increasing the capacity of their floating solar farm at the Batang Ai Dam from producing 50 megawatts of electricity to 160 megawatts. The same consideration is also said to be being made for the Bakun and Murum dams.
According to Dato Sri Haji Julaihi, the additional electricity supply capacity with sustainable energy sources will also be used to accommodate the opening of data centers in Sarawak in the future. The Sarawak government is seen wanting to ensure that the electricity supply source is stable and sufficient first before they introduce any new plans regarding data centers and others in the state.
