PETROS and Höegh Evi have agreed to jointly develop Kuching's proposed LNG terminal, with first gas targeted for the end of 2029. The agreement, reported on Oct 1, covers joint development, ownership and operation. Plans include a floating storage and regasification unit, mooring facilities, subsea and land pipelines, and an onshore receiving facility. The terminal forms part of the Kuching Low-Carbon Hub. PETROS says it would deliver natural gas to Kuching and surrounding areas, supporting electricity generation and future industrial demand. Truck loading, small-scale LNG distribution, bunkering, storage and reload services are potential uses, not a list of services already operating. For local households and businesses, the important distinction is timing: this is a development agreement, not the start of gas delivery. End-2029 remains a project target. The partners are assessing whether delivery can be accelerated, but have not announced an earlier date.

Talks between PETRONAS and PETROS have moved into the remaining commercial details after the two sides agreed on the fundamental principles, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said in Kuching on Sept 16. The government’s stated aim is to protect Sarawak’s interests while retaining PETRONAS’s national role and strengthening PETROS. That is the direction described publicly; the final commercial terms, implementation timetable and financial details have not been announced. Until those terms are released, the update signals progress in the negotiations rather than a completed operating agreement.

Sarawak is pursuing up to US$1 billion in downstream gas investment, with Bintulu identified as the proposed industrial hub. The proposal involves Indorama Ventures and Highchem developing higher-value products from Sarawak’s gas resources. Premier Abang Johari Tun Openg said the plan could support skilled jobs and the state’s move towards lower-carbon industrial development. The money is not committed yet. Sarawak Petchem and the companies are expected to work through the details, with another discussion planned in Bangkok in October. For Bintulu and the wider Sarawak economy, the next milestone is whether those talks produce a defined project, timeline and investment agreement.

Bintulu-Samalaju has been placed in a global industrial transition network, with Sarawak taking the lead convener role. [image: 1784941486766-bintulu-samalaju-tic.jpg] Deputy Minister for Energy and Environmental Sustainability Datuk Dr Hazland Abang Hipni said the Bintulu-Samalaju Transitioning Industrial Clusters (TIC) initiative is aimed at pushing the area towards a cleaner, lower-carbon industrial economy. The initiative was formally launched in June as a federal-state partnership involving Sarawak's Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability, MyDIGITAL Corporation and the World Economic Forum. What it means for Sarawak The Bintulu-Samalaju corridor is now Malaysia's first member of the World Economic Forum's TIC network. More than 25 companies are involved, with four pilot projects already identified. The initiative is projected to contribute about RM12 billion a year to GDP by 2040 and create nearly 19,000 jobs. Dr Hazland said the plan builds on Sarawak's renewable energy strength, petrochemical base and hydrogen ambitions. Location: Bintulu-Samalaju industrial corridor Details: Low-carbon industrial transition initiative, led by Sarawak as lead convener Hot Score: 25/30 Source: https://www.theborneopost.com/2026/07/25/bintulu-samalaju-joins-global-industrial-transition-network-with-sarawak-as-lead-convener-says-deputy-minister/ Photo: The Borneo Post Big industry news, but the real test is whether the jobs and spillover reach Sarawakians. What do you think?

Zecon Renewables has landed a RM328 million contract for Sarawak's first agrivoltaics solar project. [image: 1784865967672-zecon-solar-contract.jpg] Source: DayakDaily The contract covers a 100MWac solar photovoltaic facility at Kota Petra Green Technology Park. Zecon Bhd said its wholly owned subsidiary, Zecon Renewables Sdn Bhd, received the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning contract from Zecon Renewables (Sarawak) Sdn Bhd. Location: Kota Petra Green Technology Park, Sarawak Details: The job includes the solar plant, grid connection facilities, site infrastructure, earthworks and a proposed 130-metre bridge across Sungai Serai. The project is backed by a 30-year power purchase agreement with Syarikat Sesco Bhd. Commercial operation is scheduled by Dec 31, 2027. This is not something people will feel overnight, but it is a sizeable energy project for Sarawak. Source: DayakDaily What do you think?