KUCHING, The Sarawak government is exploring various new technologies that can generate more renewable energy (RE) sources to achieve its target of producing 10 gigawatts (GW) of power by 2030.

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state at present had an installed capacity of 5,700 megawatts (MW) of power through a generation mix from hydro, coal and gas sources.

‘Within these three years, we want to upgrade to 10 GW, and my cabinet and I are going to the ground to explore various technologies that can generate RE in order to provide the required energy for all economic activities,’ he said at the opening of Melexis Malaysia Sdn Bhd’s new building at the Sama Jaya Free Industrial Zone here today.

He said at the current stage, Sarawak is experimenting with floating solar energy generation technology at the Batang Ai hydroelectric dam.

He said this experiment covered just over three per cent of the dam’s body of water to produce about 50 MW of power and this could potentially be increase
d to 2,000 MW should 60 per cent of the waterbody be used.

‘With that sort of approach, (for now) we are trying at only one dam. We have four more dams,’ he said, referring to the Bakun, Murum, Baleh and Bengoh dams currently operating in Sarawak.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency