TENOM: The Ulu Padas hydroelectric project is a sustainable and long-term solution to solve electricity and water woes in Sabah.
Chief minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the project will generate 187.5 megawatts (MW), significantly contributing to Sabah's power grid with a 15 per cent increase in power supply.
Hajiji said this is a vital step towards ensuring a secure electrical supply for Sabah's residents.
"It is also a move towards improving the quality of life for the people and preparing us to propel Sabah into a new era of progress," he added.
"This project will have positive spillover effects on the local economy, creating job opportunities, increasing people's income, and fostering entrepreneurship.
"As a major contributor to the renewable energy mix, the Ulu Padas hydroelectric dam is also expected to meet the increased demand for electricity in Sabah upon completion.
"This is not only crucial for our energy needs but also for the development of Sabah's oil and gas industry and the Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park, driving economic growth in our state," he said after the groundbreaking ceremony for the dam project site visit at Kampung Kungkular here.
Hajiji also said a study is underway to explore the dam's potential to supply clean and stable water flow, reaching up to 6,000 million litres per day (MLD).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim officiated the groundbreaking ceremony, marking it as a significant milestone for Sabah's infrastructure development.
The groundbreaking ceremony also symbolises a strategic collaboration between public and private institutions.
The project developer is Upper Padas Power Sdn Bhd, resulting from a partnership between the state government through Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd and private sectors Gamuda Berhad and Kerjaya Kagum Hitech JV Sdn Bhd.
"The presence of the Prime Minister in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ulu Padas Hydroelectric Dam clearly signifies the Federal Government's support for Sabah in developing essential infrastructure for the benefit of the people," Hajiji said.