Abang Johari during the dialogue session with moderator Zahir Kelvin Ong Abdullah (left). – Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING (July 15): Sarawak does not need nuclear energy as it already has abundant and reliable sources of renewable energy, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
He said Sarawak’s current energy mix, comprising hydropower, gas combined cycle, and solar, is sufficient to meet both present and future demands.
“Sarawak does not need nuclear, but we are a producer of renewable energy. We have hydro. Second, we have gas combined cycle. Third, we have solar.
“From the sources we have, I believe Sarawak does not need nuclear, but is already producing renewable energy.
“That’s why we have a target for 2030 (to generate) 10 gigawatts (of renewable energy) and in 2035, 15 gigawatts from the resources that are available today,” he told reporters when met after officiating at the opening ceremony of the International Energy Week (IEW) 2025 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here today.
Abang Johari was responding to a question on whether Sarawak would consider exploring nuclear energy, following Putrajaya’s recent green light for feasibility studies as part of the national long-term energy strategy.
He pointed out that Sarawak’s situation differs from that of Peninsular Malaysia, which still relies on coal-fired power.
“Our situation is different from the Peninsula. I think that they have a future where there is a need for renewable energy because we know that they now use coal and coal is no longer a suitable technology for us to generate energy.
“I understand that they are looking at options and among these options is nuclear.
“I believe our Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof went to Russia to look at nuclear technology,” he said.
The Premier also expressed interest in fusion energy, which he described as potentially safer and more cost-effective than nuclear power.
“That is why we had a fusion energy expert come here because based on what we’ve read, one of the new technologies being explored is fusion energy.
“Fusion energy comes from hydrogen molecules that react to produce energy. It may be cheaper and safer than nuclear. So we have an advantage,” he said.
During a dialogue session earlier, Abang Johari said Sarawak would consider investing in fusion technology if it proves to be safe and economically viable.
“But let us have the experts do the experiment first and we see the numbers and what these numbers look like.
“In other words, Sarawak has the resources to produce new technology and to produce energy and your economic activities all need energy,” he said.
When asked about the key challenges in achieving Sarawak’s renewable energy goals, he said the state must build a skilled workforce.
“We need workforce who are knowledgeable in this era, that is why the state government is giving free tertiary education to all Sarawakians in Sarawak.
“This is the place for you to produce technologists, and we are looking at all disciplines including aerospace,” he said.
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