By Aliran admin
Baram, Sarawak – In conjunction with the inauguration of a micro hydro project in the Baram area, Save Rivers launched a conference on clean energy collaboration, which will be held in Kuching in March 2019.
The event will bring together key stakeholders for a discussion on sustainable and inclusive energy pathways for Sarawak and Malaysia.
On the weekend of 12 January 2019, a completed micro-hydro power installation system was officially handed over to the villagers of Long Liam, Baram. The project was built by the villagers with guidance by civil society organsations Save Rivers, Tonibung, the Bruno Manser Fund, Green Empowerment and Seacology.
The villagers, who were among those who opposed the Baram dam, said that the project is of great significance to them. Anyie, the village leader of the project committee, when asked for his comment, said, “With this project, we show how rural electrification can look like without large dams. Development is possible without destructive dams.”
At the handing over ceremony in Long Liam, the villagers unanimously requested the government to support their effort to protect the water catchment area for their village. Logging in the water catchment area would lead to siltation and threaten the long-term sustainability of the micro-hydro project.
During the press conference recently, Peter Kallang, chairman of Save Rivers, also announced the Clean Energy Collaboration, Kuching, on 15-16 March, when a coalition of civil society organisations will bring together government officials, international and local energy experts, industry representatives, and grassroots communities.
The goal is to discuss concrete pathways to achieve economically and environmentally sustainable energy systems that address the energy poverty and energy needs for development in Malaysia. The conference will take place at a hotel in Kuching.
“We in Save Rivers, support sustainable development. We are ready to discuss and cooperate with the state as well as the federal government on sustainable energy,” Kallang added.
“That is why we are organising the CEC in March. We look forward to their long term participation and cooperation.”
Source:
Related to SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy
