Delegates and others at the launch of Ises 2018. — Photo by Tan Song Wei
KUCHING: Sarawak targets to achieve 100 per cent electrification by 2025.
Towards this end, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said the Ministry of Utilities and Sarawak Energy are installing standalone alternative systems, utilising micro-hydro and solar technologies to light up communities living in the interior through the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (Sares).
“Alternative energy sources have indeed played an important role in the state’s mission for full electrification particularly for the communities that are impossible to connect to the state grid.
“This is in line with our target to achieve 100 per cent electrification by 2025,” he said when opening the 4th International Sustainable Energy Summit (Ises) 2018 at the Pullman Hotel here yesterday.
Abang Johari said Sares had changed the lives of many Sarawakians who before this had no access to reliable and sustainable supply.
He added that Sares had won the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) award at the 4th ARE Energy Access Investment Summit in Catania, Sicily recently.
He said the state intended to explore other alternatives which are both renewable and clean to sustain its economic growth.
“This has led to the formation of the Sarawak Research Council to oversee research and development on various energy generation technologies.”
He added that Sarawak Energy is currently conducting a feasibility study on hydrogen fuel cell application for the state.
“Allocations have been provided to conduct research on hydrogen production and hydrogen application which include the setting up of a hydrogen production plant.
“We are optimistic that our research into alternative supply options and smart technologies will reap benefits for Sarawakians all over,” said Abang Johari.
He pointed out that 2016 registered record-high new electric car registrations, with over 750,000 sales worldwide.
Norway held the highest electric car market share globally in 2016 with China also experiencing a rapid market growth, he said.
“It is predicted that the next 10 to 20 years, the electric car market will likely transition from early deployment to mass market adoption.”
In Sarawak, Abang Johari said the state’s public transportation landscape will undergo a transformation whereby electric-powered buses will ply the streets within the next three years.
“And at its heels, will be to expand this category of buses to hydrogen-powered ones, making Kuching the first city in the country to have such buses as a pilot project.
“This demonstrates Sarawak’s commitment towards a better and cleaner environment in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,” he added.