Harvesting Wave Energy: An Economic and Technological Assessment of the Coastal Areas in Sarawak

Wave energy is a promising form of marine renewable energy that offers a sustainable pathway for electricity generation in coastal regions. Despite Malaysia’s extensive coastline, the exploration of wave energy in Sarawak remains limited due to economic, technical, and environmental challenges that hinder its implementation. Compared to other renewable energy sources, wave energy is underutilized largely because of cost uncertainties and the lack of local performance data. This research aims to identify the most suitable coastal zone in Sarawak that achieves an optimal balance between energy potential, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact, particularly in relation to infrastructure and regional development. The findings indicate that wave energy generation in Sarawak is technically feasible based on MOGA analysis. Among the studied sites, Bintulu emerged as the most balanced option, with a levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) of 0.778–0.864 USD/kWh and a CO2 emission factor as low as 0.019–0.020 CO2/kWh. Miri, while producing lower emissions than Sematan, recorded a higher LCOE of 1.045 USD/kWh with moderate emissions at 0.029 CO2/kWh. Sematan, characterized by weaker wave conditions and higher installation penalties, resulted in the least favorable outcome, with an LCOE of 3.735 USD/kWh. Bintulu’s strategic location reduces CAPEX requirements, making it the most suitable site for large-scale wave energy deployment in Sarawak.