SEB: Inclusive partnerships vital in realising net zero-carbon emissions goals
KUCHING: A shared purpose amongst various stakeholders is crucial towards achieving netzero carbon emissions targets in any plan to provide electricity to developing and remote regions across the Asia-Pacific.
In highlighting this, Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) group chief executive officer (CEO) Datu Sharbini Suhaili pointed out that this would require many countries in the region to gradually transition their energy landscapes towards renewables, which should drive sustainable growth and prosperity and at the same time, enact climate action.
For Sarawak, he said the transition to renewable hydropower as the predominant energy source in its generation mix had greatly bolstered the state’s socio-economic growth.
“Sarawak can serve as the battery of the region to drive energy transition, with hydropower as its core,” he said in his presentation for a panel discussion recently at the ongoing virtual Conference of the Electricity Power Supply Industry (CEPSI) 2021.
Themed ‘Energised Countries, Empowered Communities’, this year’s conference is running until Nov 25.
Sharbini’s presentation focused on how SEB, Malaysia’s largest renewable energy developer, had been advancing renewable hydropower as part of its efforts to decarbonise Sarawak’s power system.
He also talked about how the company was driving a sustainable energy future during the session on ‘Executive Talks: Decarbonising Power Through Balanced Energy Solutions for Security and Sustainability’, where the panel speakers included Manila Electric Company president and CEO Atty. Ray Espinosa; Singapore Power-PowerGrid CEO Jimmy Khoo; Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc managing executive officer Momoko Nagasaki; as well as Sinag Global Energy chairman Dr Jesus Alcordo, and its president / CEO Bonifacio Eyales.
Adding on, Sharbini said Sarawak and Malaysia’s governments had aligned with the increased global focus on renewable energy transition by demonstrating strong support towards energy transition in Asean.
He said earlier this year, large hydropower was recognised as a renewable energy source at the national level – acknowledging Sarawak’s hydropower generation capacity into meeting the national renewable energy target of 40 per cent by 2035.
“Sarawak leverages on renewable hydropower to balance our energy security, affordability and sustainability, enabling a holistic approach to energy development. As a result, our people enjoy reliable, affordable and predominantly renewable electricity.
“We have been able to decarbonise our power system by more than 70 per cent since 2010, and sharing our renewable energy resources with our neighbouring countries such as West Kalimantan, Indonesia, through interconnections since 2016.
“By end of 2023, we will commence power export to Sabah,” said Sharbini, adding that this would enable Sarawak to contribute significantly to the region’s carbon emission reduction efforts and enhance the resiliency of energy transition in the region.
The SEB had also been collaborating with Swedfund International AB on a ‘Variable Renewable Energy Penetration Study’ to understand and better plan the integration of variable renewable energy particularly solar into the state’s future grid system as part of its efforts in decarbonising its power system, he said.
In achieving its full electrification target for Sarawak by 2025, SEB utilised solar and mini hydro installations under the Sarawak Accelerated Rural Electrification Scheme (Sares) to light up rural communities in areas across the state that were too remote to be connected to the main grid.
“The state government’s focus on ensuring inclusive access to ensuring reliable, sustainable and cost-effective electricity for all has also enabled the proper planning of electrification of Sarawak’s rural areas where commercial and economic viability is a challenge.
“Through these initiatives, Sarawak is expected to reach 99 per cent electrification coverage by end of 2021 – a marked improvement over the state’s electrification rate in 2009 when the overall coverage was at 79 per cent and rural coverage only at 56 per cent.”
In 2019, SEB ran a thoughtleadership campaign, the ‘Sustainability and Renewable Energy Forum’ (Saref) to lead energy transition discourse at the regional level.
“This year, we are partnering with the United Nations (UN) Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei to organise Saref 2.0 in parallel with the GO ESG ASEAN 2021 Summit, to continue the discussion on our shared energy future,” said Sharbini.
In his closing remarks, he said collaboration was key for the regional partners to turn their net-zero carbon emission pledge and goals into action.
“Embarking on energy transition is a huge investment in both developing the physical infrastructure and manpower capabilities.
“This requires meticulous planning and strategic execution that would abide by the international standards and best practices.
“It is, however, not impossible and through strategic partnerships, these are challenges that can be overcome,” added Sharbini.