Sarawak plans to have all major hydropower plants in the state certified under the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS) by 2030, according to a government announcement. If achieved, Sarawak would be among the first jurisdictions in the world to certify its entire hydropower portfolio.
The commitment was highlighted after Sarawak Energy received the certification plaque for the Bakun Hydroelectric Plant, which achieved Silver status under the HSS. Bakun is the largest hydropower facility in Southeast Asia.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the state aims to strengthen its position as a renewable energy leader in the region while upholding environmental and social standards.
“Large-scale hydropower – when planned, developed, and operated responsibly – can deliver reliable and affordable energy while demonstrating strong sustainability outcomes,” he said in a statement delivered on his behalf by State Deputy Minister for Utility Datuk Ibrahim Baki at the International Conference on Dam Safety Management and Engineering.
Sarawak Energy’s Murum hydroelectric plant is among the projects targeted for HSS certification by the end of the decade.
The Hydropower Sustainability Alliance (HSA) described Sarawak’s plan as a major step toward portfolio-level sustainability certification. Executive Director João Costa said: “Sarawak Energy stands out as a true champion of sustainability, not only to ensure compliance or manage risk, but to lead with purpose and ambition. I’ve seen first-hand how their achievements are driven by a culture where sustainability is a shared purpose embraced by everyone.
“At HSA, we are proud to support Sarawak Energy and other leading companies taking a portfolio-wide approach to certification and demonstrating how sustainability is the best path to long-term value.”
The HSS is a global framework used to measure and certify hydropower projects on environmental, social, and governance performance.
