KUCHING: Sarawak will expand its solar power capacity as part of future renewable energy plans, says Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
For a start, the capacity of the Batang Ai floating solar farm will increase from 50MW to 170MW.
“Sarawak Energy Bhd will increase the capacity at Batang Ai by an additional 120MW,” he said on Monday (Oct 6).
“This will become the biggest installed solar energy facility in Malaysia,” he added.
He spoke after launching the Batang Ai hydroelectric plant 40th anniversary celebration in Lubok Antu, about 260km from here.
Built on the Batang Ai reservoir, the floating solar farm was commissioned in December last year.
It is Malaysia’s first major hybrid generation facility combining hydro and solar.
Abang Johari said investors are keen to develop similar solar plants at the Bakun and Murum dams, as well as the upcoming Baleh dam.
He said a company is negotiating to produce solar at Bakun and Murum.
“Upon the completion of the Baleh dam, there is also a party interested to produce solar energy,” he said.
Besides floating solar plants, Sarawak is exploring the development of elevated solar plants on land.
He said there is potential to generate power through biomass such as oil palm waste.
“With all these developments, I think we can achieve our target of generating 10GW by 2030 and 15GW by 2035,” he said.
He said there is a possibility the capacity could be higher.
On the Batang Ai anniversary, Abang Johari said it marks the start of Sarawak’s renewable energy journey 40 years ago.
He said the success of Batang Ai paved the way for the Bakun and Murum dams, followed by the Baleh Dam, which is scheduled for completion by 2030.
“Thereby we are producing about 70% of our energy through hydropower,” he said.
“The rest is from gas and a small amount from coal in Balingian and Sejingkat,” he added.
State Deputy Utility Minister Datuk Ibrahim Baki said the extra 120MW at Batang Ai is scheduled to roll out next year.
He said potential Bakun and Murum floating solar projects are expected to generate 300MW and 400MW respectively, and added that the first phase is targeted to roll out next year.
“The total floating solar capacity will be close to 900MW, latest by 2030,” he said.
“For ground-mounted solar, we have committed to roll out at least 300MW by the fourth quarter of 2025,” he added.
He said this is to be energised latest by 2028.
