Sarawak Steps Up Cross-border Energy Exports - Julaihi

KUCHING, May 18 (Bernama) -- Sarawak is intensifying efforts to export electricity across borders as part of its plan to position itself as the ‘Battery of ASEAN,’ said its Minister of Utility and Communications, Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi.

He said that currently, Sarawak has been exporting about 100 megawatts of electricity to West Kalimantan, Indonesia, since 2016, and began exporting electricity with a capacity of 30 megawatts to Sabah on Dec 13, 2025.

“Sarawak is also aiming to export electricity supply with a capacity of at least 30 megawatts to Brunei, which is currently in the negotiation and feasibility study stage,” he said while winding up the debate for his ministry at the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.

In addition, he said Sarawak is also planning to export electricity to Singapore with a capacity not exceeding 1,000 megawatts (1 gigawatt), which has received conditional approval from Singapore’s Energy Market Authority (EMA) on Oct 17, 2025.

“Following approval from Malaysia’s National Security Council (MKN) in December 2025 and Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA) in February 2026, commercial discussions and technical development have commenced.

“At the same time, electricity exports to Peninsular Malaysia with a capacity of no less than 1,000 megawatts are currently in the early stages of discussion,” he said.

Julaihi added that Sarawak’s current electricity generation capacity stands at 5,928 megawatts, while demand is expected to rise to 4,800 megawatts.

He noted that this generation capacity is sufficient to meet domestic needs, including electricity supply to rural areas.

“The current electricity generation capacity mix comprises renewable energy sources, with 60 per cent (3,558 megawatts) from hydropower and 1 per cent (50 megawatts) from solar.

“The remainder comes from fuel-based energy sources, namely 22.3 per cent (1,326 megawatts) from gas, 15 per cent (891 megawatts) from coal, and 1.7 per cent (103 megawatts) from diesel,” he said.

-- BERNAMA