In the second part of his presentation at the Construction Sustainability Summit during ICW Borneo 2025, Ir. Pramod Kumar Karunakaran shed light on Sarawak Energy’s efforts to integrate clean power initiatives into the region’s socioeconomic development.
One of the key highlights of Sarawak Energy’s strategy is its use of renewable energy as a catalyst for community and economic growth. Projects like the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) have already attracted RM123 billion in investments and are projected to create over 53,000 jobs in 2025. Sarawak Energy’s Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) market, launched in 2019, has gained significant traction, with the inaugural REC auction on Bursa Carbon Exchange in 2024 underscoring the company’s role in promoting sustainable practices within the energy sector.
Ir. Pramod Kumar emphasised that Sarawak Energy’s efforts extend beyond clean energy generation. Through partnerships with the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre and CHITOSE Group, the company is exploring innovative carbon capture projects, such as CHITOSE Carbon Capture Central Sarawak, which utilises flue gas from a coal-fired power plant to produce microalgae biomass.
The company’s sustainability vision also includes robust nature-based solutions. Sarawak Energy’s tree planting and habitat restoration campaign aims to plant and protect 500,000 trees by 2030, with over 190,000 already established as of March 2025.
Community development is another priority, with Sarawak Energy supporting local education, healthcare, infrastructure and eco-tourism initiatives. As Ir. Pramod Kumar explained, this holistic approach ensures that the benefits of clean power reach far beyond the grid, enhancing livelihoods and creating opportunities for Sarawak’s diverse communities.
Sarawak Energy’s initiatives exemplify how clean energy can be a powerful driving force in achieving environmental goals, fostering inclusive socioeconomic progress in the region.
Related article:
Part 1: Sarawak’s Drive for Sustainable Growth with Clean Power
