SARAWAK is set to connect its electricity supply grid into the vast Kalimantan province as well as Sabah, a major step forward towards forming the Trans Borneo Power Grid to supply electricity throughout Borneo Island.
State Deputy Minister for Public Utilities and Telecommunication Datuk Abdul Rahman Junaidi said he had visited Jakarta to look into the power supply to Kalimantan where the Indonesian new capital of Nusantara is fast developing.
"Sarawak is in talks with Indonesian Government and their national electricity company now. They want Sarawak to supply electricity to a wide section of Kalimantan province.
"We are negotiating terms and conditions now, including the power tariffs rate," he said.
The Sarawak Public Communications Unit today said the visit by Abdul Rahman to Jakarta is a step forward towards Sarawak becoming a leading supplier of electricity to Borneo and to neighbouring Asean countries.
On Oct 23 last year, it was announced that Sarawak is planning the construction of a mega electricity-supply route that will see a Trans Borneo Power Grid set up to supply electricity to Sabah and Kalimantan.
The overland power grid system will light up the entire Borneo Island, with Sarawak selling electricity to Kalimantan and Sabah from the numerous hydro-power dams such as the gigantic RM15 billion Bakun Dam in central Sarawak.
Sarawak is also planning the construction of a submarine cable across the South China Sea to supply electricity to Singapore and the peninsular Malaysia states and also to the Philippines via Sabah.
Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg had highlighted these ambitious power projects plans when attending an international energy event in Singapore that day.
Johari also said Sarawak is looking into being a source of electricity for ASEAN countries too.
"Sarawak have abundant renewable energy sources from the numerous hydrodams existing in the state.
"Sarawak is also working closely with Indonesia for power supply projects through the Trans Borneo Grid to link to Nusantara (new Indonesian capital) and other Kalimantan provinces as well as connect to Sabah.
"Sarawak is working with TNB (Tenaga Nasional Bhd) and Singapore Government on the subsea power cable to deliver electricity to Singapore and the peninsular states in west Malaysia.
"Sarawak will eventually connect its electricity sources to all ASEAN countries through an ASEAN Grid," Johari said.
The Trans Borneo Power Grid will be another multi-billion project that will follow closely with the Trans Borneo Railway proposed project.
That railway plan is to link Sarawak-Sabah-Kalimantan to provide railway routes to facilitate more efficient movement of people and cargo en-masse throughout Borneo Island.
Indonesia is already relocating its national capital from Jakarta to Nusantara which is about 200km away from southern Sarawak. – March 3, 2025
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