DUN Sarawak: Dennis Ngau urges the government to speed up solar integrated baram project

KUCHING, Oct 15: Member of the State Legislative Assembly (ADUN) Telang Usan Dato Dennis Ngau urged the government to accelerate implementation of the Integrated Solar Baram project under the Renewable Energy New Economic Zone (BREEZ).

According to him, the initiative has the potential to be an important growth driver in the Baram section.

"The project is also in line with the Fifth Strategic Terrace which focuses on efforts to bridge development gaps and drive rural growth, including initiatives to create economic opportunities at local level as well as generate new wealth sources within our communities", he said.

He said this while discussing Sarawak Budget 2027 at the 19th Sarawak DUN Conference today.

Meanwhile, he said that in a new era of artificial intelligence (AI), advanced robotics and machine learning, access to electricity supplies will be a major competitive advantage.

He added that Sarawak under the leadership of Prime Minister Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is preparing for such a future through 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK-13).

"During the launch of RMK-13, Premier specifically mentioned the Renewable Energy Baram Economic Zone (BREEZ) as one of the main drivers of economic growth in northern Sarawak, located within DUN Telang Usan area.

"Usan Telang is in a very suitable position to be the basis for this direction because we have a large area of land with solar radiation levels between 15 and 25 percent higher than many other areas in Sarawak", he added.

From an economic point of view, electricity generated in Baram is potentially 15 to 25 percent cheaper than elsewhere in Sarawak.

He also emphasized that this effort is not just a solar plant but a large-scale infrastructure ecosystem with the potential to be a development catalyst. - TVS