KUCHING — Sarawak is pressing ahead with plans to expand cross-border electricity exports as part of efforts to develop the Borneo Power Grid and the ASEAN Power Grid, the state’s Utility and Telecommunication Minister Julaihi Narawi told lawmakers on May 18.
Julaihi said Sarawak is targeting the export of at least 30 megawatts to Brunei, with that project currently at the consultation and feasibility stage. He added the state has ambitions to send one gigawatt to Singapore after receiving conditional approval from Singapore’s Energy Market Authority on Oct. 17, 2025, a milestone that clears the way for the next phase of development.
“Commercial discussions and technical developments have commenced following approvals from Malaysia’s National Security Council in December and Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority in February,” Julaihi said in his winding-up speech to the Sarawak Legislative Assembly.
The minister also said early talks are underway about exporting one gigawatt to Peninsular Malaysia. Sarawak already began exporting 30 megawatts to Sabah on Dec. 13, 2025, and has been supplying 100 megawatts to Indonesia’s West Kalimantan since 2016.
“Cross-border power exports will position Sarawak as the Battery of ASEAN,” Julaihi said, underlining the state’s strategic role in regional energy integration.