Not many in the Peninsular are aware but Sarawak does not depend on TNB to supply energy to its people, in fact it never has since the establishment of Malaysia. For this the East Malaysian state has Sarawak Energy and incidentally the entity has just celebrated its centenary when it turned 100, an applaudable feat indeed.
Established in 1921, Sarawak Energy taps in the states abundant natural resources for its energy supply including hydopower with plants erected as early as the 1980’s. According to Chairman, Datuk Amar Abdul Hameed Sepawi the state had studied on the potential of using hydo earlier in the 60’s, but its was in 1985 when the first plant came online, the Batang Ai Hydroelectric plant.
Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili GCEO, is also committed on the groups energy suitability efforts when he announced the mission to offer all Sarawakians sustainable, affordable and renewable energy by 2025 in line with UNSDG No.7 clean and affordable energy mandate.
Probably these were the initiatives set partly as a vision and during the establishment of the energy giant that has allowed the company to do exceptionally well in the state and the region in the environment efforts. These efforts were further acknowledged when Sarawak Energy became the overall winner of the Sarawak Chief Ministers Environment Award bagging three golds and two merit during the recent inauguration event.
This time around its energy generation subsidiary Mukah Power Generation Sdn Bhd (MPG) was named Champion in the Large Enterprises Category –Manufacturing sector for initiatives in nurturing environmental stewardship resulting in productivity without compromising the protection and conservation of the environment.
The energy development corporation and power utility company also clinched three golds under the same category for its Murum Hydroelectric Plant, Bakun Hydroelectric Plant and Sejingkat Power Corporation while Batang Ai Hydroelectric Plant and Tanjung Kidurong Combined Cycle Power Plant Project received Merit awards respectively.
Datu Haji Sharbini commented at the event that the awards were validation of Sarawak Energy’s commitment to environmental stewardship.
“We are grateful to be recognized through these prestigious awards for our efforts in environmental stewardship and incorporating sustainability in our operations by emphasising the proper management of both social and environmental issues,” he added.
The CMEA is the premier environmental award for small, medium and large enterprise industries as well as government agencies and the media in the state. It is organised jointly by Natural Resources Environment Board Sarawak (NREB) and the Sarawak Business Federation supported by other relevant agencies. It aims to encourage good stewardship in environmental protection and management in Sarawak.
Sarawak Energy has come along way since its inception, joining the 100 club is a prestige with not many Malaysian companies are members of, one of which the Chairman humbly attributes the successful longevity to the people of Sarawak and the state government.
