SEB to hold Saref 2.0 virtually Nov 24
KUCHING: The second edition of Sustainability and Renewable Energy Forum (Saref 2.0), Sarawak Energy's own-brand thought leadership conference will be held virtually on Nov 24.
Targeted at renewable energy leaders and sustainability-minded stakeholders in Asean, Saref is a biennial thought leadership campaign organised to bring the conversation on renewable energy and actionable solutions into Southeast Asia.
Saref 2.0 is held this year in partnership with UN Global Compact Network Malaysia and Brunei (UNGCMYB), and will be integrated within the Go ESG Asean 2021 Summit as a parallel session over one afternoon.
The first Saref was held from Dece 10 to 11, 2019, bringing together global, regional and local energy thought leaders and subject matter experts to Kuching.
The event was headlined by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) goodwill ambassador Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh who raised awareness and mobilised support for the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sarawak Energy also launched East Malaysia's first Renewable Energy Certificate (REC), which provides for the corporate purchase of renewable energy generated in Sarawak and allows corporations to offset carbon emissions while participating in a more sustainable energy future.
Sarawak Energy Group chief executive officer and chairman of Saref 2.0, Datu Sharbini Suhaili said that Saref 2.0 builds on Saref 1.0's aspiration to further explore areas and collaboration opportunities in the renewable energy sector, interconnections, and sustainability for a more sustainable energy future.
“One of the aspirations set during Saref 1.0 was to ensure recognition of large hydro as a renewable energy resource in Malaysia. Earlier this year, the federal government finally made this recognition, which means Sarawak's hydropower generation is now taken into account in meeting the national renewable energy targets of 40 per cent by 2035,” he said.
Saref 2.0 will feature panel discussions on shifts in the energy industry and how society can progress towards building a sustainable energy future while helping to meet
the UN SDGs.
The UN SDGs aim to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all by 2030 through a set of 17 interconnecting goals that address current global challenges.
Formerly held over two days, Saref 2.0 will be abbreviated over one afternoon to bring together champions of sustainability and renewable energy online to share their insight, examining the impact of Covid-19 on the renewable energy landscape over the last two years, as well as energy poverty eradication efforts across Asean.
International speakers include United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) programme officer Sooksiri Chamsuk; London-based International Hydropower Association president Roger Gill; Sembcorp Industries Group president and
CEO Wong Kim Yin; and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) programme officer for Energy Access Divyam Nagpal.
The sessions will also feature Shell Malaysia chairman Ivan Tan; Energy Action Partners co-executive director Ayu Abdullah; Ministry of Utilities Sarawak director of Energy Supply Syed Mohammad Fauzi Shahab; Strategic Planning for Sustainable Energy Authority Development (SEDA) director Ibrahim Ariffin; Sarawak Energy executive vice president for Strategy and Corporate Development Ting Ching Zung; and Sarawak Energy vice president for Rural Electricification Dr Chen Shiun.
Participation in the forum is open to all.
Those who are interested can register for free at https://ungc. virtualive.tech/home/goesg_ saref by November 24.
Sarawak Energy is Malaysia's largest renewable energy developer and celebrates 100 years of powering Sarawak in 2021.