KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 25): Tenaga Nasional Berhad (KL:TNB) is conducting a pre-feasibility study for a potential Sarawak to West Malaysia link, according to Sarawak premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.  

“These projects mark significant milestones for Sarawak’s role in the Asean Power Grid’s (APG) next phase,” Abang Johari said at the Singapore International Energy Week 2024 on Monday (Oct 21).

He however did not elaborate on the details of the pre-feasibility study.

The feasibility study is being done at a time when Sarawak explores options to export its hydro-powered electricity to neighbouring countries amid rising demand for renewable energy (RE) in the region.

Sarawak is “actively collaborating” with the federal government to advance the APG, Abang Jo said in his keynote address.  

Until recently, talk of Sarawak’s undersea power line had revolved around a direct connection to Singapore for export purposes, with the Borneo state eyeing up to 1GW of electricity to be sold to the island republic.

A feasibility study for the 700km Sarawak-Singapore line was completed in September last year, involving state-owned Sarawak Energy Bhd, Singapore’s Sembcorp Utilities and Singapore Power Group.

If the idea materialises, it will form part of the wider APG — a network of power lines connecting Asean countries that was first proposed over two decades ago, but only now being seriously revisited as countries seek to address their respective net zero emissions targets. An integrated network would help channel RE sources in one geographical area to other demand centres within the region.