KUCHING, Construction of the undersea power cable network to transmit renewable energy (RE) from Sarawak to Singapore is slated to begin by 2026 at the latest, according to Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg. He said the Sarawak government, together with the federal and Singaporean governments, aims to commence the project next year once the current global shortage of submarine cables is resolved.
“The Singapore and Sarawak governments, with endorsement from the Malaysian government, have agreed that the construction of the undersea cable should begin no later than next year,” Abang Johari said after officiating the Sarawak Mega Fair 2025 at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre last Thursday. He added that Indonesia has responded positively to the project, as the cable route will pass through Indonesian territorial waters. Singapore’s Energy Market Authority has granted conditional approval to Sembcorp Utilities and its consortium partner, Sarawak Energy Bhd, to import one gigawatt (GW) of hydropower from Sarawak.
Abang Johari also revealed that a special cross-border energy corridor is being developed between Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia to facilitate the export of green electricity to Singapore. “There is already an agreement in principle for Sarawak to supply clean energy through this dedicated corridor,” he said.Hydropower currently accounts for more than 60% of Sarawak’s total energy generation capacity. Sarawak Energy owns and operates the Bakun (2,400MW), Murum (944MW) and Batang Ai (108MW) hydroelectric dams, with the 1,285MW Baleh dam currently under construction.
To attract more foreign investment, particularly in renewable and sustainable industries, Abang Johari said Sarawak offers incentives equivalent to those from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), along with additional state-level benefits such as larger land allocations, lower premiums and competitive energy tariffs.
“At present, Sarawak has the lowest industrial energy tariff in Malaysia,” he noted, adding that the state’s political and administrative stability continues to bolster investor confidence. Abang Johari emphasised that companies leveraging Sarawak’s renewable energy in their manufacturing processes will gain a “green premium” — a market advantage as global demand for low-carbon and eco-friendly products continues to rise.
“Investors who produce goods using our green energy will find it easier to market their products, as they are aligned with global sustainability standards,” he said.
He also announced that the soon-to-be-launched state-owned airline, AirBorneo, will enhance flight connectivity between Sarawak and Singapore, boosting both tourism and trade opportunities.
