Sarawak–Singapore power link conditionally approved, set to deliver 1GW of clean energy
KUCHING, Oct 17 — The Sarawak-Singapore Interconnection Project received Conditional Approval (CA) from the Energy Market Authority (EMA) of Singapore today, marking a key milestone in regional energy cooperation and integration under the Asean framework.
The approval, granted to a consortium comprising Sarawak Energy and Sembcorp Utilities Pte Ltd, recognises the project’s preliminary technical and commercial viability.
It paves the way for the consortium to proceed with securing regulatory approvals and licenses necessary for the next phase of development.
Once operational, the project will facilitate the export of approximately 1GW of renewable energy from Sarawak to Singapore, with energy flow expected to commence by 2035 or earlier.
A statement from Sarawak Energy said the Letter of Conditional Approval was formally handed over by EMA assistant chief executive and chief commercial officer Eugene Toh to Sarawak Energy chairman and Deputy Minister of Utility (Sarawak Energy and Petros) Datuk Ibrahim Baki and Sembcorp Industries Ltd Group chief executive officer Wong Kim Yin.
The ceremony was witnessed by Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong and Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
Commenting on the development, Abang Johari said the project aligns with Malaysia’s broader vision for an Asean Power Grid and complements Sarawak’s efforts in developing the Borneo Grid.
“Sarawak is pleased with this positive development. Sarawak is also supporting the development of the Borneo Grid, having established a cross-border connection with West Kalimantan, Indonesia in 2016.
“Building on this success, we are now working to establish new interconnections with Sabah and Brunei Darussalam to cater to regional energy needs,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim said Sarawak’s abundant renewable resources offer a strong foundation for multilateral energy trading.
“Sarawak Energy is committed to respectfully collaborate and work with partners across Borneo and the broader Asean community to pursue and advocate the development of interconnections with the common objectives on achieving energy security, shared prosperity and delivering energy transition targets,” he said.
