Renewable Energy Transitions in Sarawak: Hydropower, Solar Hybrid Electrification, and Hydrogen Pathways

Abstract

Sarawak has emerged as a regional leader in renewable energy development in Southeast Asia, driven by abundant hydropower resources, strong state-led planning mechanisms, and strategic ambitions to transition toward a low-carbon economy. This paper examines the evolution of renewable energy in Sarawak through a review of policy frameworks, institutional governance, technological deployment models, and socio-environmental dynamics. The analysis focuses on three primary domains: (i) large-scale hydropower development under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), (ii) decentralized solar hybrid electrification initiatives in rural and off-grid regions, and (iii) hydrogen production and hydrogen mobility pilots linked to future export markets. Drawing upon government policy documents, academic literature, energy agency reports, and sectoral briefings, this study provides a critical assessment of the structural, political-economic, and socio-environmental dimensions of Sarawak’s energy transition. The findings highlight the importance of state-driven governance frameworks, the need for socially inclusive electrification models, and the strategic yet uncertain positioning of green hydrogen within future global decarbonization markets.