SEB to maintain hydropower as main generation source
KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Bhd ( SEB) aims to maintain hydropower as its predominant generation source, but will also maintain thermal plants to ensure a healthy generation mix.
According to group chief executive officer Datu Sharbini Suhaili, SEB has come a long way in its sustainable energy development journey in the last decade which saw 90 per cent of its generation mix from resources such as gas, diesel and coal in 2010.
“Today 75 per cent of our generation mix is from renewable hydropower so we have moved quite a long way in the last decade,” Sharbini said in his keynote address at the 11th Annual Global CSR Summit and Awards 2019.
“Going forward, we will maintain hydropower as our predominant generation source. However, we are also maintaining thermal plants in ensuring a healthy generation mix and ensuring security of supply by harnessing our indigenous coal and gas reserves.”
“We expect to maintain more than 60 per cent hydropower in our generation mix and incorporate more alternative energy such as large solar projects by 2025.
“In fact, solar hybrid, mini- and micro-hydro have entered into our generation mix to provide power to the rural areas in Sarawak back in 2009 as part of the rural electrification strategy.”
Sharbini recapped that in 2016, together with the ministry of
Today 75 per cent of our generation mix is from renewable hydropower so we have moved quite a long way in the last decade. Datu Sharbini Suhaili, group chief executive officer
utilities, SE B launched the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme ( Sares) to accelerate efforts towards full electrification coverage in Sarawak, primarily using solar power for the most remote villages which are difficult to reach by wire.
He noted that this has increased the percentage of green energy to households throughout Sarawak.
“In fact from 2011 to 2017, our renewable energy generated has increased by more than 1,400 per cent. Apart from SARES, various initiaitves are ongoing to expedite the electrification in the interior such as the Rural Electrification Scheme (RES) and Rural Power Supply Scheme (RPSS).
“In 2018, we achieved 91 per cent (coverage) of rural electrification and 95 per cent (coverage) for overall Sarawak, a significant increase of more than 14 per cent since 2011. SEB is committed to play our role in ensuring access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy for all.
“As part of our plan to accelerate rural electrification in Sarawak towards full coverage by 2025, a dedicated team has been formed to deliver our target of 99 per cent, 24 hours electricity coverage in Sarawak by next year.”