KUCHING: Any effects of the global economic slowdown on the implementation of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score) will be minimal.

Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud said: "The economic downturn may affect the implementation of some industries by maybe six months to a year, but I don't think the downturn will undermine it."

He was receiving Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin on his return from Kuala Lumpur at the Kuching International Airport.

"When the credit crunch settles down, I think they will be able to start nearly on schedule. So I'm not worried."

Taib said he was optimistic because all governments, "whether in the developed or developing worlds", were shoring up their financial systems and introducing economic stimulus packages to get their economies out of recession.
At no time in history, he said, not even during the Great Depression before World War 2, had the world acted in unison to bail out their ailing economies.

"By pumping in money so the banks feel sure about their position, I think the investment programmes of solid companies (in Score) will be on track."

He added that the implementation of government projects in Score had not been affected at all, for example the construction of the state's second hydroelectric dam, the Murun dam, near Kapit

"Murun is on track and we are going ahead with our feasibility studies on Baram and Pelagus."

These are among the 12 dams the state plans to build to generate enough electricity for industries like aluminium and nickel smelters.

"That's the essence of Score. We must make sure that our programme to escalate power generation goes on."

Energy resources are the backbone of the development plans, using hydropower, natural gas and coal. Score spans the central region of the state, from Tanjung Manis in Sarikei to Similajau in Bintulu.