08-07-2025
RAW Energy to expand HTG growth in Sarawak
KUCHING: Global sustainable fuels provider RAW Energy is expected to expand the cultivation of hybrid tropical grass (HTG) in Sarawak by getting the participation of rural communities via its partnership with SEDC Energy Sdn Bhd.
RAW Energy's HTG, along with specialised cultivation and production methodologies, delivers a biomass pellet that can be used as a direct feedstock for thermal energy production.
HTG is a sterile hybrid of Napier and Pearl millet grass, first imported under permit by RAW Energy's founders in 2014.
It is cultivated on large-scale farms in Bintulu, using unproductive marginal land without competing with food crops.
It is a fast-growing, high-yielding energy grass that harnesses the power of tropical photosynthesis and rainfall.
RAW Energy has appointed SEDC Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sarawak State Economic Development Corp or SEDC, as the exclusive distributor of HTG pellets in Sarawak.
SEDC Energy is a catalyst for Sarawak's renewable energy development.
The HTG pellets will be supplied to power generation facilities and other users seeking scalable clean energy solutions, RAW Energy and SEDC Energy said in a joint press statement recently.
According to SEDC Energy chief executive officer (CEO) Robert Hardin, the company, together with RAW Energy, plans to introduce the cultivation of HTG to the rural communities in phases.
He said the move supports Sarawak's Net Zero 2050 target by leveraging biomass for power generation.
'RAW Energy's hybrid tropical grass does not compete with our food sources, which aligns with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 15, promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems and halting land degradation,' he added.
RAW Energy group CEO Ramsay Wilson said its partnership with SEDC Energy represented more than just a strategic alignment.
'This heralds a transformation era in renewable energy adoption across Sarawak.
'By embracing cutting-edge biomass technology, SEDC Energy is setting an inspiring precedent for other global communities striving to balance industrial growth with environmental preservation.'
Wilson said HTG pellets are revolutionising the biomass sector and will redefine energy benchmarks on an international scale.
'With a carbon cycle measured in days versus decades and a thermal energy content exceeding that of wood pellets, we offer a glimpse into the future where sustainable energy sources can outperform and replace traditional fuels, such as coal and wood pellets, in terms of ecological impact, efficiency and scalability.
'With resources like RAW Energy, Sarawak is fostering a circular economy – transforming agricultural products into valuable energy commodities.
'Furthermore, this initiative will create a ripple effect, encouraging further investment in green technologies and bolstering the region's economic and environmental resilience.
'Sarawak is positioned to contribute significantly to the global dialogue on renewable energy, showcasing how regional resources can be harnessed for planetary benefit,' added Wilson.
