KUCHING (Nov 5): The Murum dam reservoir in Belaga will be developed into the Asia region’s largest floating solar power generation project if the study can prove its feasibility, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

In a post on his official Facebook page, Sarawakku, he said the floating solar plant would be developed jointly by Sarawak Energy Berhad, Masdar Corporation of the United Arab Emirates and Gentari of Petronas.

He said the Murum floating solar project would be capable of generating up to 1GW (1,000 MW) of renewable power and would add to Sarawak’s targeted generating capacity of up to 10GW by 2030.

The premier made these remarks after signing a Joint Study Agreement for the Murum Floating Solar Project between the three entities at Masdar city in Abu Dhabi today.

The signing was part of a three-day working visit, where the highlight is Abang Johari’s participation in the panel discussions at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (ADIPEC) on Wednesday.

At the signing ceremony Sarawak Energy was represented by its chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Sharbini Suhali, MASDAR by its CEO Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi and Gentari by its CEO Sushil Purohit.

The Premier and members of his delegation, which include Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, Minister of Utility and Telecommunications Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi and Sarawak State Secretary Datuk Amar Mohamad Abu Bakar Marzuki, had arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

Also present were Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr. Hazland bin Abang Hipni, Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Hamid Bugo, Sarawak Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Abdul Aziz Hussain and Sarawak Energy Berhad chairman Dato Ibrahim Baki.

Earlier, the Premier and members of his delegation were taken on a tour of Masdar city – an urban community that aims to be a model for sustainable urban living, combining renewable energy, green building practices, and advanced technology.

The city, which occupies a six-kilometre square area, is built by Masdar Corporation, a subsidiary of the state-owned Mubadala Investment Company.