SABAH’s push for renewable energy is gaining momentum with the approval of 15 large-scale solar (LSS) projects under the 2024 bidding process by the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS).
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the projects, totalling 199MW, would see 113MW developed on the West Coast and 86MW on the East Coast.
“With these and existing LSS projects, Sabah’s total solar capacity will exceed 350MW, or 23% of the state’s generation capacity mix, by 2027,” he said after chairing the Sabah Energy Council meeting in Kota Kinabalu.
The solar projects, expected to be completed by 2026, are designed to prioritise local Sabahan and government-linked companies.
Hajiji said this effort would not only diversify Sabah’s energy mix but also reduce reliance on costly fuel subsidies.
Meanwhile, the council also endorsed the Sabah Hydro Development Master Plan, a 10-year roadmap from 2028 to 2037.
The plan identifies 1,500MW of potential hydropower, which, when added to the existing 500MW, could bring Sabah’s hydroelectric contribution to 2,000MW—or 38% of the state’s power generation mix.
“This is a sustainable solution to meet our long-term energy needs,” said Hajiji.
Sabah grapples with a critical electricity reserve margin of just 5%, leaving little buffer for outages or rising demand.
One initiative already in motion in Sabah includes the Tenom Pangi Hydroelectric station which is set to be fully operational end of 2025 and boost the reserve margin by 25%.
Others include a 100MW Battery Energy Storage System in Lahad Datu and a 100MW gas-powered plant in Kimanis.
On rural electrification, Hajiji reiterated the state government’s goal of achieving 100% coverage by 2030.
“Electricity is a right, not a privilege. We will work with NGOs and the private sector to ensure every Sabahan has access to a stable power supply,” he said.
Also present at the meeting were Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, State Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima Sr Safar Untong, and ECoS CEO Datuk Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid. – December 12, 2024
