Bakun Dam serves as Sarawak’s primary hydropower source. (Photo: Sarawak Energy)
Malaysia’s Sarawak state, rich in hydropower resources, aims to position itself as the region’s “Green Battery” for energy transition. But while its low-carbon push advances, associated infrastructure projects are threatening forests and indigenous livelihoods.
Climate nonprofit RimbaWatch notes that although Sarawak records Malaysia’s lowest carbon emissions, it also suffers the nation’s highest deforestation rate.
Sarawak bets on energy exports amid rising regional demand
Sarawak is Malaysia’s largest state by land area but has fewer than 3 million residents. Its hydropower output already exceeds local demand, with a fourth dam under construction and floating solar capacity steadily expanding. Together with natural gas generation, the state targets a total capacity of 10 GW by 2030.
Electricity is already exported across borders to West Kalimantan, Indonesia, and Sarawak is studying subsea transmission links to Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. These efforts align with surging regional demand, driven by middle-class households installing air conditioning and the growth of AI-powered data centers across Southeast Asia.
However, large-scale hydropower expansion has taken a heavy toll on ecosystems and communities. Research shows nearly 70,000 hectares of forests — an area comparable to Singapore — have been submerged. According to RimbaWatch co-founder and director Adam Farhan, hydropower projects are one of the major drivers of Sarawak’s deforestation.
The Bakun Dam, operational since 2011 and among the largest in Southeast Asia, displaced more than 9,000 indigenous residents during its construction.
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Opposition from local communities continues following Sarawak Premier Abang Johari’s announcement of a new hydropower plant. (Image source: UKAS)
29 Indigenous tribes unite against new dam project
In August, indigenous groups in northern Sarawak staged protests against a cascade dam proposed on the Tutoh River, with 29 tribes joining forces. Opponents argue the project would damage ecosystems, including the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Mulu National Park.
Community resistance has persisted since Chief Minister Abang Johari announced new hydropower plans. Many indigenous leaders say they were never consulted, claiming the projects lacked transparency and marginalized local voices.
The Tutoh River project was slated to begin next year and be completed by 2030. Yet even in its preparatory phase, it has met with strong opposition — underscoring the challenges Sarawak faces in balancing ambitious renewable energy expansion with the need for dialogue and safeguards to address local concerns.
Source: France24, The Sun, Sarawak Energy
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