SABAH Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor has expressed optimism that the state would now be able to plan for a robust energy supply after it has taken over regulatory control of electricity and renewable energy supplies from the federal government.
This comes after the passing of the Electricity Supply Bill 2024, Renewable Energy 2024 and Energy Commission of Sabah (Amendment) 2024 during the special assembly sitting in Kota Kinabalu, today.
“This initiative will benefit the socioeconomic development of the state through the provision of adequate, stable, affordable and sustainable energy supply as per the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040 (SE-RAMP 2040),” he said in a statement today.
The SE-RAMP 2040 is developed by the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) and was launched in September last year to support the Sabah Maju Jaya roadmap.
The chief minister said the state government, through ECoS, will ensure the process of taking over control of electricity supply is carried out effectively and in an orderly manner without any disruption to stakeholders in the state.
He said the initiative was also part of the devolution of power under the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63).
Upon gazettement of the enactments, ECoS will be the authority that regulates the electricity supply sector and renewable energy in Sabah with immediate effect.
ECoS has already gained regulatory power over the onshore gas supply sector since January 10 last year. – The Vibes, January 3, 2023