Green groups fret over Sarawak's plans to ramp up renewable energy

KUCHING - Malaysia's verdant, river-crossed state of Sarawak is charging ahead with plans to become a regional "green battery", but its renewable energy dreams could come at serious environmental cost, experts warn.

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The leadership of Sarawak wedged between peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines - believes it could become the keystone in a regional energy transition.

Its many rivers and streams offer potentially abundant hydroelectricity and could one day power the production of green hydrogen.

It is also installing solar systems and touting biomass to grow its renewable capacity, with Sarawak Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg telling investors in Europe last week the state is "committed to a low-carbon and sustainable energy future".

But environmental groups warn that much of this green energy infrastructure contributes to deforestation and the displacement of indigenous groups.

And for now, Sarawak's main export is a fossil fuel: liquefied natural gas.

Sarawak began generating hydroelectricity several decades ago, and is currently building a fourth hydropower plant.

Hydropower currently accounts for around 3,500MW - enough to light about two to three million Southeast Asian households daily.