KUCHING: Sarawak holds a unique advantage in the global transition towards green energy, having gained recognition as an ‘electro-petro state’ with access to both natural gas resources and renewable energy.
Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Openg said the world is increasingly shifting away from fossil fuels towards green and renewable energy in response to climate change challenges driven by carbon emissions.
He said the transition has elevated the importance of clean and low-carbon energy sources in supporting future economic growth.
“Sarawak possesses both. We have gas which generates low-carbon energy through methane, and at the same time we have renewable energy through hydropower. These are the energy sources required in today’s era.
“At the international level, Sarawak is recognised as an electro-petro state because we possess both of these energy resources,” he said when officiating the SWG Green Complex & Decarbon Hub in Demak Laut, here, on Monday.
According to him, during the recent Hydrogen Conference, representatives from the International Energy Agency (IEA) acknowledged the advantages that Sarawak has over many other regions.
He said countries that produce fossil fuels are often referred to as 'petro-states', while countries that generate economic growth based on the use of electricity are known as 'electro-states'.
Datuk Patinggi Abang Zohari added that these advantages would enable Sarawak to meet future energy needs that are increasingly emphasising clean and low-carbon energy sources.
In this regard, he stressed that technology plays an important role in ensuring the energy resources available can be utilised optimally for the economic development of the state.
Also present were Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Professor Dr Sim Kui Hian, SWG Energy Group Chairman Dato Sri Abang Abdul Karim Tun Datuk Abang Openg, Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni, Deputy Minister for Utility (Sarawak Energy and PETROS) Datuk Ibrahim Baki, Chief Political Secretary to the Sarawak Premier Dato Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, Deputy Sarawak Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel and other dignitaries. -UKASnews
