Sarawak in-principle approves Planet QEOS’s innovative Baram Agrovoltaic proposal

• Feasibility study for generating 500 MWac-4000 MWac of renewable power via solar
• UEM Lestra Phase 1 partner which is expected to cost up to US$428m, completed by 2026

In a special meeting chaired by Sarawak Premier Abang Johari, the Sarawak Government has in-principle, approved Planet QEOS Sdn Bhd’s groundbreaking Solar Agrovoltaic project in Sarawak, where just Phase 1 is expected to cost US$428 million (RM2 billion) and be completed by 2026. Dino Bidari, Chairman of Planet QEOS, Dr. Gabriel Walter, CEO of Planet QEOS and Lam Poh Lian, COO of Planet QEOS attended the meeting as well.

According to Planet QEOS, the project not only aims to revolutionise how renewable energy is generated, but also addresses critical food security components, while poised to create thousands of new jobs in renewable energy and food technology within the Baram region.

The Sarawak Government's in-principle approval is subject to Planet QEOS conducting a feasibility study as part of Phase 1 for generating between 500 MWac (megawatt of power with alternating current) to 4000 MWac of renewable power through solar energy in Baram.

The feasibility study will also include a dedicated 180km Green Energy Grid to be established along the decommissioned Sabah Sarawak Gas Pipeline, directly connecting renewable energy from Baram to Tanjung Kidurong, Bintulu, ensuring efficient distribution and utilisation. The project’s ambitious vision includes the installation of up to 20 GWp (gigawatt-peak) of solar capacity and potentially up to 40 GWhr (gigawatt hours) of battery storage by 2030.

UEM Lestra Sdn Bhd, a key player in Malaysia’s renewable energy sector, is the Phase 1 partner for Planet QEOS and will lead the funding efforts along with QEOS and other partners. The initial focus will be on developing 500 MWac of Solar Agrovoltaic, which will seamlessly integrate with the main grid operated by Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB), pending the conclusion of the feasibility study.

Chairman of UEM Group, Amran Hafiz Affif said, “We are very pleased to have the opportunity to present our proposal to the Sarawak Government and the Premier has agreed in principle to continue this project. We feel that this innovative project will be a game changer to benefit the Sarawak Government, the people of Sarawak and Malaysia.”

Dino emphasized the project’s core mission: “This is Sarawak engineering at its best. We engineered the Solar Agrovoltaic with the primary goal of achieving greater wealth distribution among the people of Sarawak, specifically in Baram. By incorporating elements that enable economic participation from rural communities, we aim to create thousands of specialised and stable jobs over the next 30 years.”

Dino also highlighted that the economic impact from the land use is more than 50 times if compared to oil palm. At the same time, this creates minimal impact on rural land while still generating huge economic impact to the rural communities.

“It’s a winning formula for the rural communities of Sarawak,” he stressed.

Planet QEOS’s Solar Agrovoltaic project is a testament to Sarawak’s commitment to sustainable development, renewable energy, and community empowerment which are pillars of Abang Johari’s vision for a developed Sarawak.