Awang Tengah (centre) pressing the lightning symbol to symbolically launch IEW while (from left) Entri, Ismawi, Morshidi and Moggie look on. — Photo by Muhammad Rais Sanusi
KUCHING: The state must realise its hydro electricity power (HEP) potential to push its economy towards high income and developed status by 2020.
Hydro electric power was more viable than fossil fuel generated energy source especially in the long run, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem at the opening ceremony of the 3rd International Energy Week (IEW) at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) yesterday.
His text of speech was read by Industrial Development Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
Noting the interdependence of the energy sector and the industrial sector the chief minister said hydro-electric power was vital in the implementation of the Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score) Development Plan.
“We know that the industry is a major market for energy and development in industry closely affects the energy sector.
“In this sense, Sarawak is very fortunate as our Score Development Plan is made possible as we have a significant potential of hydro power energy which we are now developing to energise our industries,” he said. On Score’s progress, Adenan remarked that to date, a total investment of RM30.4 billion had been approved.
“There are 15 companies with a total investment of more than RM25 billion which had been approved to be located at Samalaju Industrial Park as well as RM5.4 billion of investment approved for those outside Samalaju,” he said.
He also added that the state government was determined to protect the environment of Samalaju Industrial Park to ensure it was sustainable and attractive to the investors as well as to the community in the park.
“In this respect, the state government has already planned for an Integrated Waste Management system for the secure and safe management of waste generated in Samalaju Industrial Park and the project is currently in the pipeline.”
Among those present at the ceremony were State Secretary Tan Sri Datuk Amar Morshidi Abdul Ghani, Assistant Minister of Public Utilities (Water Supply) Datuk Sylvester Entri Muran, Tenaga Nasional Berhad president Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leo Moggie and State Planning Unit director and IEW organising committee chairman Datu Ismawi Ismuni.