Today's Article

Datuk Haji Sharbini Suhaili, Group CEO Sarawak Energy: Solar and hydro is a very good combination. So, when the sun is shining, we can keep the water behind the dam and 3dispatch power from the solar farm. When the sun sets, then we can use the water from the 4reservoir to 5generate power. 

CNN Correspondent: There are 100,000 solar panels here, and Sarawak Energy says that's enough to power 20,000 households. But why go floating with solar technology? 

Jeremy Chia, Technical Executive for Solar Sarawak Energy: One of the benefits is that it doesn't compete with land uses on the ground. So, it basically just utilizes the surface area of the existing reservoir. 

CNN Correspondent: Analysts say it's an innovative and 6cost-effective solution for densely populated regions such as Southeast Asia. Large-scale projects like this must also 7weigh their social and environmental impacts. 

Keiju Mitsuhashi, Energy Director Asian Development Bank: Whether it's on a lake or land, if it is on the lake, we've got to look at the 8aquaticlife and then livelihood of the people in the community nearby. So, we have to make a good 9assessment of that. If there's an impact, we've got to 10offset this 11biodiversity impact. 

CNN Correspondent: According to a report by Precedence Research, the Asia-Pacific region leads the global floating solar industry with a 49% market share in 2024. Floating solar farms are being installed worldwide in Germany, Thailand, and the largest one in China. By combining solar and hydro, floating panels could be the future of 12clean energy in Asia, providing a 13reliable power source for the 14region, 15rain or shine.