Sarawak Energy eyes producing 2GW floating solar energy

Its first floating solar with a 50MW capacity will be commissioned by 2023.

Sarawak Energy is planning to deploy floating solar panels that will cover around 2% to 3% of its hydropower plants that can generate around two gigawatts (GW) of power, Group COO James Ung said at the Asian Power Summit.

Ung said its first floating solar farm with a 50-megawatt capacity is being developed at the Batang Ai hydropower plant and is expected to be commissioned by 2023.

Sarawak Energy is Malaysia’s renewable energy provider in Malaysia with 70% of its capacity comprised of hydropower.

The remaining 30% is composed of thermal resources such as gas and coal for generation security and diversity, Ung said.

“​​We maintain energy affordability by providing among the most competitive tariff in the regions by leveraging on hydropower development,” he said.

Ung said the renewable hydropower plants enabled the company to decarbonise its power system with its carbon emission intensity declining by over 70% from 2010 to 2020.

“We are targeting to further reduce our main grid emission intensities by increasing our renewable energy capacities and renewable energy share in the generation mix and to improve the energy efficiencies in operations, amongst others,” he said, adding that it will contribute to Malaysia’s target to reduce carbon intensity by 45% by 2030. 

Sarawak is also planning to develop transmission interconnection with Bornea with its hydropower plants as it aspires to become a “regional powerhouse” through hydropower development.

The company has three operating hydropower plants in Batang Ai (108MW), Bakun, (2,400MW), and Murum (944MW). The hydro plant in Baleh which has a 1,285MW capacity is expected to be commissioned by 2027.