KOTA SAMARAHAN – Sarawak’s long-term plan to supply electricity to Singapore for commercial needs will not at all affect the state’s domestic needs, said the state’s utilities and telecommunications minister.
Datuk Julaihi Narawi said Sarawak will also place conditions, among them much higher power tariff rates for Singapore, to ensure its long-term plan is a profitable economic source for the state and Malaysia.
“The areas without electricity in the state involve new housing areas and off-the-grid areas. The Sarawak government, via the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme, is actively providing electricity in such areas.
“Do not be worried, this power exchange agreement does not impact our domestic usage because our electricity supply is sufficient, even excessive,” he said in a press conference at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak today.
Earlier in his speech, Julaihi said the construction of the 700-km undersea cables in Malaysia and Indonesia’s waters for electricity supply would be fully borne by Singapore.
As of May, Sarawak’s total available generation capacity of 5,745MW was sufficient to cover the current demand of 4,627MW, he added.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg had previously said the state agreed to supply electricity to Singapore with a capacity of 1,000MW through undersea cables, with negotiations being at an advanced stage – adding that apart from Singapore, Sarawak Energy Bhd had also held negotiations with Brunei to export power. – September 11, 2023