THE Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) has rolled out a three-phase plan to fix the east coast’s power supply crunch, as debate over the aborted Trans-Sabah Gas Pipeline (TSGP) resurfaces in state politics.
Chief executive officer Datuk Ir Abdul Nasser Wahid said the plan combines immediate, medium and long-term measures, backed by the state government and the Sabah Energy Council.
“We are taking a comprehensive approach by implementing various initiatives simultaneously.
“This includes immediate interim solutions that are now operational, strengthening the existing grid, advancing the Southern Link transmission project, and developing new power generation projects, including renewables,” he said in a statement from Kota Kinabalu, Sunday.
ECoS is presently strengthening the East–West Sabah Grid and ensuring high availability of diesel and MFO plants operated by Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd and independent producers in the immediate term solution.
For the medium-term solution involves building a 160MW LNG-based power plant in Tawau, approved in July and targeted for completion in 2028, he said.
Long-term stability will depend on the 275kV Southern Link transmission line from Sipitang to Tawau, described as the backbone of the state grid.
Phase one consists of a 60km link to Padas costing RM200 million, is targeted for completion in 2028, while the second 270km stretch to Tawau is expected by 2030, said Nasser.
Sabah has shifted focus to renewables as the federal government cancelled the Trans-Sabah Gas Pipeline (TSGP) project in 2018 over irregularities and weak justifications for demand.
The Trans-Sabah Gas Pipeline (TSGP) was valued at RM4.06 billion.
It was part of two major China-linked projects signed in 2016 during Najib Razak’s administration with the other being the Multi-Product Pipeline in Peninsular Malaysia, valued at RM5.35 billion.
Both projects were cancelled in August 2018 by the Pakatan Harapan government after only about 13% of work was completed, despite almost 88% of the contract value already paid out.
The TSGP project has become a point of contention recently when Sabah Umno information chief Datuk Suhaimi Nasir criticised Warisan president Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal for having a role in the project’s cancellation during his tenure as chief minister.
Nasser said ECoS is advancing renewable energy projects including 100MW of solar capacity, a 141MW hydro project on the Segama River, and geothermal ventures in Tawau.
At the same time, a large-scale 200MW/400MWh battery storage system is also planned to stabilise supply.
Nuclear energy is being studied for the future, he said.
“This effort addresses urgent needs while laying the foundation for long-term sustainability,” Nasser said. - September 28, 2025
