Press Release: Sarawak Energy is World Energy Council’s first Southeast Asian Global Patron

Sarawak Energy is World Energy Council’s first Southeast Asian Global Patron

New partnership to advance shared vision of a decarbonised future energy system

28 March 2024:  

Sarawak Energy, the largest renewable energy developer in Malaysia, has signed with the World Energy Council to become a global Patron, making it the first from Southeast Asia.

This was formalised during a virtual signing ceremony today with Dr Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General and CEO of the World Energy Council and Datuk Hj Sharbini Suhaili, Sarawak Energy Group CEO.

Sarawak Energy, one of Southeast Asia’s major hydropower developers, will support the Council in its efforts to catalyse energy transitions around the world, while gaining access to the Council’s network of more than 3,000 member organisations in more than 90 countries, for global insights and best practices on energy policy, innovation and sustainability strategies. They will be the Council’s first patron from South East Asia, joining a group across the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia including Boeing, EDF, ADNOC, EY, PWC, State Grid Corporation of China and KAPSARC.

Dr Wilkinson said:

“We are delighted to welcome Sarawak Energy into the Council’s world energy leadership community. Their century of experience in harnessing and progressing inclusive energy access is perfect for facilitating deeper exchange of practical know how and essential in progressing many and new ways for collaborating in redesigning energy to progress faster, fairer and more far-reaching energy transitions across the world.”

Meanwhile Sharbini said:

“By becoming a Patron, we look forward to becoming part of the broader international energy leadership community. This allows us to tap into a global network of energy industry players as we continue to explore energy transition solutions for our region.

Our strategic shift to renewable hydropower over four decades ago has allowed us to balance energy security, affordability and sustainability, powering sustainable growth in Sarawak and creating a strong foundation for the exploration of other low carbon energy solutions including floating solar and green hydrogen production.”

“Between 2010 to 2021, we were able to reduce Sarawak’s power grid emission intensity by more than 70%. As the world accelerates its energy transition efforts, Sarawak Energy is progressing plans to share our renewable energy resources with our neighbouring countries through interconnections by advancing the Borneo Grid and ASEAN Power Grid. This enables us to significantly contribute to Southeast Asia’s carbon emission reduction efforts and enhances the resiliency of the energy transition in the region,” said Sharbini.

Patrons of the World Energy Council are a critical pillar of the organisation, actively supporting the Council’s Humanising Energy vision and breakthrough impact agenda.

As it has for 100 years, the Council equips leaders and their organisations with valuable insights and tools that effectively engage with the increasing diversity in energy as a source of know-how, innovation and learning. Leveraging its influential position, the Council uses its convening power on behalf of its Patrons to bring together whole energy system dialogues at multi-sector, regional and local levels around energy transitions.

About Sarawak Energy

Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sarawak Energy), is both an energy development company and a vertically integrated electricity utility Group with a vision to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity for Sarawak by meeting Southeast Asia’s need for reliable, renewable energy.  The Group is building on a strong foundation of 100 years to power the transformation of Sarawak in its vision to become a developed and high-income economy by the year 2030.

Sarawak Energy built Southeast Asia’s first integrated hydrogen production plant and refuelling station in Kuching in 2019 and will commission its first floating solar project this year at the Batang Ai hydropower plant reservoir. The utility delivered a key UNSDG milestone this year when Sarawak recorded almost full electrification, lighting up Borneo’s remote rural communities under its jurisdiction through stand-alone off grid solar systems.   

In 2016, Sarawak Energy began exporting electricity to Indonesia via a land interconnection, marking the first Malaysia-Indonesia successful interconnector project. Following this, Sarawak Energy is also working to establish interconnections with Sabah and Brunei as part of the Borneo Grid while advancing an interconnection with Singapore through direct undersea power cables linking Sarawak and Singapore as part of the ASEAN Power Grid.

 The Group is also part of a joint venture that is building the Mentarang Induk hydropower plant in the Northern Kalimantan Province on Indonesian Borneo.

As part of its commitment to sustainable energy development, Sarawak Energy has been a member of the International Hydropower Association since 2010.  Datuk Hj Sharbini Suhaili, Sarawak Energy Group CEO is an elected member of the Board and actively advocates for sustainable hydropower development, aligning Sarawak Energy to the San Jose Declaration on Sustainable Hydropower’s principles to ensure sustainable hydropower delivers ongoing benefits to communities, livelihoods and the climate based on the belief that ‘the only acceptable hydropower is sustainable hydropower’.

About the World Energy Council

The World Energy Council is the world's oldest independent and impartial community of energy leaders and practitioners. Through our Humanising Energy vision, we involve more people and communities in accelerating clean and inclusive energy transitions in all world regions. Formed in 1923, the Council is a UN-accredited global energy body that has convened diverse interests from across the full energy ecosystem for a century, and today has over 3,000 member organisations and a presence in nearly 100 countries. Our global network draws from governments, private and state corporations, academia and civil society, as well as current and future energy leaders. We collaborate on impact programmes and inform local, regional and global energy agendas in support of our enduring mission: to promote the sustainable use and supply of energy for the benefit of all people.

Further details at www.worldenergy.org and on LinkedIn and @WECouncil.