DUN Sarawak: Sarawak aims for 10,000 MW of electricity capacity by 2030

KUCHING, 19 Oct: Sarawak aims to generate electricity capacity of 10,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030 and 15,000 MW by 2035, with at least 60 per cent of its energy sources being renewable.

Sarawak's Minister of Utility and Telecommunications, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said that at present the power generation capacity of Sarawak is 5,928 MW compared to demand around 4,800 MW.

According to him, of the total generation capacity at that time, hydro power accounted for 60 percent or 3,558 MW, followed by gas 22 percent (1,326 MW), coal 15 percent (891 MW), diesel two percent (103 MW) and solar one percent (50 MW).

"To achieve these targets, three major projects with a total capacity of 3,285 MW are being implemented", he said.

He said this while delivering the inaugural address to the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunications at the 19th State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Conference today.

The three projects are Eleven Hydroelectric Projects with a capacity of 1,285 MW which is expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2029; Concurrent Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCPP) with a capacity of 1,500 MW and Miri Combined-Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) with a capacity of 500 MW.

Julaihi explained, for the Samalaju CCPP project, Blocks 1 and 2 with a capacity of 1,000 MW now achieved progress of 58 percent and is expected to be operational in the second quarter of 2027, while Block 3 with 500 MW will be implemented in the first quarter of 2027.

Meanwhile, the Miri CCGT project is currently achieving 63 percent physical progress and is expected to start operations in the fourth quarter of 2027.

According to him, the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunications through Sarawak Energy is also committed to implement Large Scale Solar (LSS) project with a total capacity potential of 1,500 MW.

"Moreover, several other projects are under study, including Cascading Power Sources (CPS) with a potential capacity of 3,000 MW and Kuching Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCPP) with a potential capacity of 5,000 MW", he said.