INSUFFICIENT generation capacity coupled with rapid economic growth in Sabah have been blamed for electricity supply problems in the state.
Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor in stating this revealed that consumer demand arising from rapid economic development saw power consumption rise from 900MW to 1,100MW over the period of one year.
“Therefore, in line with the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040 (SE-RAMP 2040) launched on September 19, 2023, the state government’s primary focus is to ensure the implementation of the Short-Term Generation Development Plan to achieve a strong generation spare capacity of 30% as soon as possible,” he said in the Sabah assembly here today.
Power generation in Sabah is currently at 1,200MW, with a narrow reserve margin of under 12%. The ideal reserve margin should be around 20% to 30%.
A special assembly sitting is being held to debate on the Electricity Supply 2024 bill and Renewable Energy Bill where the state is expected to take over regulatory control of electricity this year.
Hajiji also laid out the state’s plans to remedy its power woes. They include:
1. Leasing diesel-fired power sets up to 100 Megawatts in stages, 40 Megawatts in December 2023 and 60 Megawatts in March 2024.
2. Extension of the operation of existing diesel-fired power plants in Tawau by 70 Megawatts.
3. Implementation of a Large Scale Solar (LSS) project with a capacity of 62 Megawatts in 2024.
4. Proposal to install a 100 Megawatt Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), initially scheduled for installation in 2026, to be expedited for installation in 2024.
5. Leasing a 100MW gas-fired power plant for an interim period until the permanent 100MW gas-fired power plant is completed.
6. Operation of green energy sources through the Feed-in Tariff programme, including 31.6 Megawatts from mini-hydro and 5.6 Megawatts from biogas in 2024.
7. Addition of another 100 Megawatts Large Scale Solar (LSS) project in 2025.
“In addition, to ensure sustainable generation capacity, medium and long-term Generation Development Plans will be implemented, including the addition of hydro-based generation capacity of around 400 MW, a 100 MW Large Scale Solar project, and other generation projects,” Hajiji added.
Additionally, major transmission line projects, such as the establishment of a 275-kilovolt transmission line connecting the Sabah and Sarawak grids and the Southern Link transmission line project, will further strengthen the capacity and stability of the Sabah grid to meet future large load demands, especially from industrial users, said the Sulaman assemblyman.
Earlier, opposition leader Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Warisan-Senallang) questioned Hajiji on how much it would cost to lease the diesel-powered sets, while suggesting the tap its initiatives into renewable or clean energy. – The Vibes, January 3, 2023
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