NEWS & UPDATE

PARIS, FRANCE
11 SEPTEMBER 2025

Sarawak Energy Group CEO, Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili, joined global leaders at the International Forum on Pumped Storage Hydropower 2025 in Paris, contributing to discussions on the role of long-duration energy storage in advancing the global energy transition.

Held from 9-10 September at the UNESCO Headquarters and organised by the International Hydropower Association (IHA), the Forum brought together government representatives, industry leaders, and technical experts to highlight pumped storage hydropower as a proven solution for grid stability and large-scale renewable integration.

Speaking at the panel session “Setting the Pace: East Asia’s Rise to the Top”, Datuk Sharbini outlined Sarawak’s journey from a system once reliant on hydrocarbons to one that is now predominantly powered by renewable hydropower. Building on this foundation, Sarawak Energy is expanding its solar portfolio and advancing feasibility studies for pumped storage hydropower at Bakun, Murum and Padawan. He also noted that storage is more than a complement to renewables, but rather a strategic enabler of system flexibility, resilience and long-term reliability.

The session focused on East Asia as the world’s “engine room” for pumped storage hydropower development. Led by China, with Japan and South Korea operating significant fleets, the region accounts for nearly half of global installed PSH capacity and an even larger share of projects in the pipeline. Against this backdrop, Sarawak’s approach reflects how Southeast Asia is also preparing to scale up long-duration storage solutions to support the integration of intermittent renewables, manage variability and strengthen grid interconnections.

Datuk Sharbini also reaffirmed Sarawak Energy’s commitment to internationally recognised best practice, citing the Bakun Hydroelectric Plant’s Silver Certification under the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS) – the largest hydropower plant in Southeast Asia to achieve this accreditation.

Sarawak’s generation capacity stands at approximately 5,900 MW, predominantly powered by sustainable hydropower, complemented by indigenous thermal resources to ensure energy security and supply diversity. This balanced approach supports Sarawak's commitment to sustainability while meeting the growing energy demands of the region, with the state targeting to have 10 gigawatts of generation capacity by the year 2030, which will primarily be sourced from renewable sources such as hydropower, solar and biomass energy.

Considering long-term system requirements, he noted that pumped storage hydropower could strengthen regional energy trade and grid integration across Southeast Asia, supporting Sarawak’s ambition to become a renewable energy powerhouse and “battery of ASEAN.” Through cross-border interconnections, Sarawak Energy aims to supply firm, clean electricity to neighbours while safeguarding against renewable intermittency.

The panel was moderated by Lei Xie, Energy Policy Manager and China Regional Lead at IHA, with fellow panellists including Erik Solheim, Board Member of IHA and President of the Belt and Road Green Development Initiative; Eakarat Samintarapanya, Assistant Governor, Power Plant Planning, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand; Yu Xianhua, Deputy Chief Economist, State Grid Xinyuan Company; and Han Changlin, Vice General Manager, Beijing IWHR Technology Company.

Sarawak Energy Group CEO, Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili (second from left), speaking at the panel session “Setting the Pace: East Asia’s Rise to the Top” during the International Forum on Pumped Storage Hydropower 2025 in Paris

Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili (centre), Group CEO of Sarawak Energy, sharing Sarawak’s renewable energy journey in his panel session at the International Forum on Pumped Storage Hydropower 2025 in Paris

Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili (second from left), Group CEO of Sarawak Energy, with fellow panellists and moderator of the session “Setting the Pace: East Asia’s Rise to the Top” at the International Forum on Pumped Storage Hydropower 2025 in Paris