Sarawak is positioning itself as a regional clean energy hub, with hydropower at the core. The state currently has about 5.9GW of installed generation, of which 3.6GW is hydro from Batang Ai, Bakun and Murum. It targets 10GW by 2030 and 15GW by 2035, with the 1,285MW Baleh project under construction and feasibility studies on five more river basins. Beyond domestic expansion, Sarawak Energy is partnering on the 1.2GW Mentarang Induk project in North Kalimantan, Indonesia, to supply power to a green industrial park. The state also plans 1,500MW of solar by 2030, including hybrid floating solar on dam reservoirs. Natural gas remains a complementary pillar to balance intermittency. The state expects the energy transition policy to attract RM580 billion to RM700 billion in investment and create over 80,000 jobs. The claim of being ASEAN's battery rests on the despatchable nature of reservoir hydro, but delivering on that will depend on cross-border transmission links and timely project completion.
