Premier: Sarawak leads the way in green, smart port operations in Asia-Pacific
09 Sep 2024
Sarawak is planning to accelerate the shift to greener and smarter port operations across Asia-Pacific, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“We are at the forefront, developing green ports, producing green fuel, creating a green fuel bunkering hub and implementing a common utilities corridor for advanced port facilities,” he said in his keynote address “Advancing Climate Change Solutions in a Divergent World” during the Asia Pacific Petroleum Conference (APPEC) 2024 in Singapore today.
To support Sarawak’s clean energy efforts, Abang Johari said his administration is building gas terminal facilities and planning a new Kuching International Airport to meet modern transportation and sustainability needs, prioritising resilient and sustainable infrastructure.
He said Sarawak is investing in advanced sectors like avionics and aircraft components and cutting-edge aerospace courses in line with the state’s innovation-driven economy.
“This initiative aligns with our broader goal of creating a sustainable, innovation-driven economy, equipping our youth with the skills to thrive in high-tech value chain industries and support our economic transformation,” he said.
According to him, building roads on Sarawak’s challenging peat soils is something akin to Singapore’s marine clay but more complex, posing settlement issues and greenhouse gas risks.
To counter this, he said Sarawak is constructing elevated roads on peatlands, a method which preserves peatlands’ carbon sequestration, supporting the state’s carbon capture efforts and improving transportation efficiency.
“These initiatives reflect our commitment to balancing development with environmental stewardship, ensuring Sarawak leads in sustainable growth,” he added.
Abang Johari said Sarawak’s goal is to double electricity capacity to 10GW by 2030 and reach 15GW by 2035, positioning the state as a green energy powerhouse in Asean through global partnerships and AI-driven research to optimise energy production and distribution, driving Sarawak’s green economy forward.
Alongside spearheading the development of a green hydrogen economy as a clean alternative to fossil fuels, he said Sarawak is also advancing the commercial production of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from microalgae, solidifying the state’s role in providing sustainable energy solutions across multiple sectors.
“Our vision is to position Sarawak as a global leader in the green hydrogen market, extending beyond Asean and Asia-Pacific. We are continuously advancing our clean energy strategy by exploring technologies like hybrid solar-wind and solar-hydro projects.
“These innovations complement our hydropower expansion and are pivotal in reducing carbon emissions across various sectors. Together with our renewable energy initiatives, these hybrid solutions underscore our unwavering commitment to sustainable energy development and a low-carbon future,” he said.
With the Sarawak Methanol Complex launched in July this year, Abang Johari said this marks the state’s entry as a leading global methanol producer with an annual capacity of 1.75 million metric tonnes.
He said the state is also focusing on downstream ammonia production for urea fertiliser, which is crucial for soil fertility and food security, while supporting local employment through Sarawak’s expanding industrial efforts.
“Sarawak is exploring alternative energy sources including converting coal plants to biomass and developing wave energy as part of our energy mix. Strong governance and international partnerships drive our commitment to a low-carbon future,” he added.
Source: Borneo Post
