NEWS & UPDATES

PARIS, 16 MAY 2019: At a special consultative meeting prior to the launch of the 3-day World Hydropower Congress in Paris on 14 May 2019, thought leaders came together to discuss and propose sustainable water and energy solutions as an integrated response to advance actions combating climate change (SDG13) by addressing water (SDG 6) and energy (SDG7) challenges.

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a shared blueprint for current and future peace and prosperity for people and the planet, with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as an urgent call for action by all countries in a global partnership.

The meeting was organised under the Sustainable Water and Energy Solutions Network established by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), Itaipu Binacional and International Hydropower Association (IHA).

As a leading sustainable hydropower developer and renewable energy provider, Sarawak was invited to participate in the forum comprising about 50 high level hydropower specialists and leads, financial institutions, government officials and civil society representatives.

The meeting serves as a platform for decision-makers and experts active in the energy, water and climate sectors to exchange perspectives on policy and business strategy and to guide future work and decisions.

Representing Sarawak Government in the meeting was the Minister for Utilities, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom. Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi, Chairman of Sarawak Energy was one of the discussion leaders in the meeting.

Abdul Hamed shared Sarawak’s journey of hydropower development and its spinoff benefits with the high-level audience including reducing the carbon intensity of power generation in Sarawak which has recorded a reduction of 76.5% since 2009.

During the same discussion, Rundi highlighted the multiple roles of hydropower reservoirs as important catchment areas including for flood mitigation, irrigation, navigation and agriculture purposes. Sarawak Government is looking at tapping clean water from the reservoirs for consumption.

Sarawak’s generation mix is predominately renewable hydropower, complemented by thermal energy for security and energy diversity. In developing its hydropower resources, Sarawak adopts international best practices in hydropower development and management as a platinum member and sustainability partner of IHA.

The group CEO of Sarawak Energy, Datu Sharbini Suhaili is an elected member of the IHA board.

Sarawak’s high-level delegation led by Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Minister for Utilities with the CEO of International Hydropower Association, Richard Taylor (4th from left) and Managing Director of Entura from Hydro Tasmania, Tammy Chu (7th from left).

Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, Minister for Utilities and Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi, Chairman of Sarawak Energy were invited to the High-Level Consultative Meeting in Paris prior to the 7th World Hydropower Congress.

The consultative meeting in progress