KUCHING, Feb 4 — State-owned Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) will be investing RM2 billion to develop a 400mega watt combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant to power Miri city with affordable, reliable and cleaner natural gas.

Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said Miri was identified as the next gas hub after Bintulu, Samalaju and Kuching, to provide state-wide access to affordable, reliable gas supply and clean energy under the Sarawak gas roadmap (SGR).

"The SGR is a key pillar in realising the state’s 2030 vision of becoming a high income and advanced state, through the prioritisation of 1,200 million metric standard cubic foot per day day (mmscf/day) of Sarawak’s natural gas to spur domestic economy,” Abang Johari said in his speech that was read out by his deputy Datuk Douglas Uggah at the launch of a piped gas supply to Medan Saberkas here.

He said Miri, where oil was first discovered in 1910, is a strategic location for the state and Petros as the state’s oil and gas company.

He said since its establishment in 2017, Petros has increased its equity production to more than 40 per cent offshore Miri, adding that it will commence its onshore in the second half of 2023 in Miri region.

On the piped gas supply, the premier said it is a pilot project that reflects Petros’ commitment to maximise positive impacts within the community in Miri and highlights the significant progress of the SGR.

"With the completion of this pilot project for piped gas supply, we have further upgraded the existing facilities in Medan Saberkas which already includes permanent roofing, clean water and reliable power supply as well as a comprehensive package of council services,” he said.

He said the Miri City Council (MCC) is now undertaking the installation of digital signages as part of the implementation of Miri Smart City programme to incorporate digital technology and digitisation with the aim to provide better and safer services.

MCC Mayor Adam Yii said 46 stalls at Medan Saberkas are benefiting from the piped gas supply.

He said Medan Saberkas has gone through years of evolution from a simple open-air tamu in the 1990s to the present trading centre with proper roofing, equipped with various facilities and utilities.

"It is now not only serving and catering for the needs of the surrounding residents, it is also becoming one of the places of interest in the city for the local visitors as well as visitors from abroad,” said Yii who is also Pujut assemblyman.