Abang Johari (fourth right) with (from second left to right) Dr Hazland, Muhammad Abdullah, Ibrahim, and others pose during the summit. – Ukas photo

KUCHING (Oct 27): Sarawak’s ambitious green energy transition agenda is being recognised as a a pivotal force in propelling Malaysia toward its target of net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.

The state’s efforts were praised by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) during the Asean Asean Business and Investment Summit, held recently at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur.

TNB president and chief executive officer Datuk Megat Jalaluddin Megat Hassan emphasised the critical need for a common objective among the Associations of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) countries to fortify the region’s green energy network.

“To achieve this goal, Asean countries need to have the same objective, which is to fight for the development of green energy for the region,” Megat Jalaluddin said in a session titled ‘Energy Transition and the Asean Power Grid – Connecting Markets, Securing Futures’.

“If we continue to adhere to that principle, it will lead ASEAN towards net zero 2050,” he said, according to a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) Facebook post.

In the same session, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun was asked by session moderator, Dato Abdul Razib Dawood, who is also the executive director of the Asean Energy Centre (ACE), on Sarawak’s implementation of large-scale energy projects and their implications for regional cooperation.

Abang Johari suggested that Asean could look to the energy system shared by the Nordic countries and the European Union (EU) as a model.

He highlighted their use of submarine cables to create a transparent and efficient cross-border energy exchange.

Meanwhile, ADB Southeast Asia Department director general, Winfried Wicklein, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to backing the development of the Asean Energy Grid.

He described it as a strategic project vital for enhancing energy sustainability and regional economic integration.

The summit also featured contributions from Le Manh Cuong, vice president of Industry Group – National Energy of Vietnam (PetroVietnam).

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni; Deputy Minister of Utility (Sarawak Energy Berhad and Petros) Dato Ibrahim Baki; and State Deputy Secretary (Economic Planning and Development) Dato Sri Dr Muhammad Abdullah Zaidel.