SCORE can provide training and facilities in renewable energy

SCORE can provide training and facilities in renewable energy


Sarawak State Secretary: Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandot at the briefing on SCORE. Picture: Jefrisalas
HADI DP MAHMUD
BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

THE Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) will be able to provide Brunei with a convenient destination for training and human capital development facilities, the state secretary of the Sarawak government said.

"The training facilities that we will be offering will not be restricted for our use only. It will be for the people in this region," Datuk Amar Wilson Baya Dandot told The Brunei Times following a briefing attended by the Second Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and ministry officials at the Empire Hotel and Country Club yesterday.

SCORE, which stretches 320km from Bintulu to Mukah in the Malaysian state of 607,800 people, is expected to bring in up to RM500 billion worth of investments and create some 1.6 million jobs over a 30-year period. Out of the 67 industries identified, 10 priority industries have been pinpointed to attract local and foreign direct investors.

"When you're starting an industry, manpower will be needed. Initially we will be sourcing them from the outside. But by 20, 30 years from now we're going to see this pool of expertise from many different countries, who will be sharing essential knowledge amongst themselves," said Datuk Amar Wilson.

The core of the corridor is the energy resources, particularly hydropower (28,000 MW), coal (1.46 billion tonnes), and natural gas (40.9 trillion square cubic feet) found in abundance in the Central Region. The Regional Corridor Development Authority, which will be managing and implementing the projects, says this will allow Sarawak to price its energy competitively and encourage investments in power generation and energy-intensive industries.

The state secretary gave the briefing in the presence of Dato Sri Hj Awg Tengah Ali Hasan, Sarawak's second Minister of Planning and Resource Management and Minister of Public Utilities, who was in the country with Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Hj Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng, Yang Di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak.

The Sarawak delegation was in Brunei for three days as part of Tun Datuk Patinggi Abang Hj Muhammad Salahuddin's introductory visit.