Sarawak plans to install floating solar power unit to power Kuching

 The state premier, Abang Johari Openg, says the initiative is aimed at harnessing an underutilised river.

Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg at the opening of a cultural centre of the Ulu people in Miri today. (Ukas pic)

PETALING JAYA:

The Sarawak government plans to install a floating solar facility at Sungai Kuap to boost Kuching’s power supply.

State premier Abang Johari Openg said the initiative aims to harness the underutilised river.

“Those in Kuching must be familiar with our high-tech industries in Sama Jaya. We need to add more power. It will be a new power source for Kuching,” he was quoted by Dayak Daily as saying in Miri today.

Abang Johari said the state government could optimise the use of rivers to generate electricity without having to flood land belonging to communities.

He also said advances in engineering could enable the development of cascading dam systems that harness river flows and gravity to turn turbines while allowing boats to continue navigating the waterways.

The proposed Sungai Kuap installation comes after a 50-megawatt floating solar farm at the Batang Ai hydroelectric dam began operating in December 2024. - FMT