Local Youth Unjam Anak Makam And Maja Anak Mabang Bring Solar Power To Their Villages In Sarawak Through Government’s SARES Program

Unjam Anak Makam and Maja Anak Mabang never expected that they would play a part in bringing electricity to their villages in Sarawak, Malaysia. After completing secondary school, both joined a government certification training program and became part of Ecogreen, one of several companies tasked with developing solar plants under the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (SARES). SARES is an initiative led by the government of Sarawak, a Malaysian state on the island of Borneo, and implemented by the state-owned Sarawak Energy Berhad. The program aims to bring renewable energy access to rural areas by involving local communities in the construction and operation of solar power systems.

Unjam and Maja’s first exposure to solar energy came when they joined the construction of solar plants in their villages. Ecogreen Solar Engineering, contracted by Sarawak Energy Berhad, recruited local residents for the projects, and Unjam and Maja were brought on as project workers. Initially, their responsibilities included transporting materials and laying cables. Over time, due to their performance and dedication, they received training in electrical wiring, solar system installation, and battery technology.

This hands-on training followed their certification through Malaysia’s technical and vocational education program, part of the government’s effort to integrate green skills into workforce development. These initiatives are essential, as government estimates suggest that achieving Malaysia’s renewable energy target of up to 70% by 2050 will require 62,000 skilled workers. By equipping local youth with these skills, programs like SARES aim to prevent a green economy skills gap and ensure a people-centered energy transition focusing on workforce planning, energy literacy, and community resilience.

Maja reflected on her experience, saying, “I am grateful to be involved in the project. This is my first job after completing my construction education with the government’s Construction Industry Development Board program. The training I received helped me gain new skills and knowledge.” Both Unjam and Maja are now permanent staff at Ecogreen and have participated in multiple solar projects under SARES. They have received formal certification in solar system installation and even assist in training community members on basic solar system maintenance, empowering villagers to manage the systems themselves.

Malaysia is an important player in the global solar PV industry. According to IRENA’s 2025 review, Malaysia was the third-largest supplier of solar modules in the United States in 2024, shipping approximately 7.6 GW, just behind Vietnam and Thailand. The country’s solar PV sector employed 45,900 people by 2024, and projections indicate renewable energy jobs could reach 223,000 by 2030 and 396,000 by 2050, surpassing fossil fuel-related employment. Solar energy is expected to account for around 57% of all renewable energy jobs by 2050. Despite its 337 GW solar PV potential, Malaysia had only installed 2.3 GW cumulatively by 2024, highlighting the opportunity for further growth and socio-economic impact.

Maja shared the impact on her village, saying, “Back in school, we used to study in the dark. Now, children can study late into the evening, families can store food safely, and we save money by not relying on diesel generators or kerosene lamps.” Unjam expressed his vision for the community, adding, “I hope to see more solar systems in other rural areas, creating jobs for villagers and improving their lives.”

Programs like SARES help ensure that these benefits reach rural communities. The solar installations in Unjam’s and Maja’s villages have capacities of around 12.5 kilowatt peak (kWp) and 13.8 kWp, respectively, providing electricity to approximately 25 households. These systems not only create livelihoods for local youth like Unjam and Maja but also improve living conditions for their neighbors. Through their involvement in SARES, Unjam and Maja exemplify how local youth can play a key role in Malaysia’s renewable energy transition while bringing tangible benefits to their communities.