Baram Solar Project Seeks Faster Approval for LILO Substation

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KUCHING – Telang Usan assemblyman Dato Dennis Ngau has called on the Sarawak Government to expedite approval for a proposed Line-In Line-Out (LILO) substation in Temala, Long Lama, to facilitate the development of the Baram Renewable Energy Economic Zone (BREEZ).

Dennis said the proposed facility would be important for connecting electricity generated by integrated solar developments in the area to Sarawak’s power grid. He raised the issue during the debate on the Supply (2027) Bill, 2026, at the 19th Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting on Thursday.

He argued that timely approval of the substation would help support the wider renewable energy initiative and its associated investment plans. However, the project remains dependent on the relevant approval process, with technical, environmental and community considerations among the requirements that must be addressed.

Dennis said BREEZ could attract substantial private investment to Baram, with potential developments extending beyond solar energy generation to include logistics facilities, warehouses, operational hubs and a modern township for workers.

He described the proposed substation as a key component of the infrastructure needed to connect electricity generated in Temala to the grid. He questioned whether the scale of the proposed investment and supporting infrastructure provided sufficient economic justification for the approval process to be accelerated.

“The LILO substation in Temala is critical to ensuring that generated power can be grid-connected. If multi-billion-ringgit private investments and planned supporting infrastructure development do not constitute an economic justification, then what else is required?” he said.

The proposed development also includes the Baram Agrovoltaic project, which Dennis said could create employment opportunities, improve the skills of local young people and introduce additional sources of income for communities in the region.

Agrovoltaics generally involves combining solar power generation with agricultural activities on the same land. Depending on the design and operating arrangements, such developments can allow electricity production and selected agricultural uses to coexist, although the specific agricultural arrangements planned for Temala were not detailed in the statement.

Dennis said Sarawak’s solar energy potential should be utilised to support the state’s broader renewable energy ambitions. He also stressed that the proposed development could bring economic opportunities to Baram if investment in energy generation is accompanied by supporting infrastructure and access to employment and business activities.

He called on the relevant authorities and parties involved to avoid unnecessary delays in considering the substation application, provided the project meets the necessary technical and environmental standards and takes community interests into account.

The proposed BREEZ development could have implications for the wider Baram economy if the anticipated investment and supporting facilities proceed. Logistics operations, warehouses and other associated services could create demand for workers and local businesses, while the construction and operation of energy infrastructure could require specialised technical skills.

For communities in the region, the potential benefits would depend on how the project is implemented, the number and types of jobs created, the extent of local participation and the arrangements made to manage environmental and social impacts. The scale of the proposed investment and the timing of individual development phases were not independently detailed in the supplied statement.

Dennis said he hoped the Baram Integrated Solar project would contribute to rural economic development by creating employment, expanding skills training, generating business opportunities and supporting improvements to local infrastructure.

“I hope the Baram Integrated Solar project will act as a catalyst for rural economic transformation, bringing employment opportunities, skills development, business prospects, and supporting infrastructure to the people of Baram. Let Baram be known not only for its natural resources, but also for its contribution to Sarawak’s clean energy future,” he added.

The immediate issue highlighted in the assembly debate is the proposed LILO substation’s approval, which Dennis considers necessary to support grid connectivity for the planned solar development.

Further official information on the approval timeline, project financing, construction schedule and implementation arrangements will be needed to establish when the proposed infrastructure and associated developments could proceed. — Sarawak Daily

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