KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 24): There is a need to support large-scale renewable power as developing countries require sustainable power to support developments and economic growth, particularly in the Southeast Asian region, said Sarawak Energy Bhd strategy and corporate development executive vice president Ting Ching Zung.

Ting suggested that large-scale hydropower should be recognised as the fundamental supplier of renewable energy (RE) as it is most suitable, reliable, and affordable for developing countries.

"Nonetheless, they are still some voices talking and questioning whether large-scale hydro is a source of green RE... whether it is green or not. I think until now they are still debating, but it is no doubt that RE will definitely reduce carbon emissions.

"Sarawak Energy has reduced more than 70% of carbon emissions in the state in the past seven years and we are also the largest RE contributor to Malaysia.

"Currently, our target is always to maintain RE (usage) of at least 50% of our generation and we are also promoting our RE certificate," he said during the panel discussion titled 'Renewable Energy as the Battery to Meet ASEAN’s Decarbonisation Ambition' at the Go ESG ASEAN 2022 Conference here, on Thursday (Nov 24).

Ting said Sarawak Energy's total installed capacity of large hydro plants stood at 3,452 megawatts to date.

As Malaysia’s largest RE provider, Sarawak Energy continues to create space for growth towards realising its aspiration to be a RE powerhouse in Southeast Asia, he added.