KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Energy Council (MTS) today (Dec 12) approved the award of large scale solar (LSS) projects to 15 bidders as part of an ambitious plan to reduce dependence on fuel subsidies.
These projects have a total capacity of 199MW. The bidding process was conducted by the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS).
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said eight of the projects(113MW) are on the West Coast, while the remaining seven to produce 86MW would be on the East Coast.
"With these and existing LSS projects currently operating or being implemented, the total LSS in Sabah will exceed 350 Megawatts or 23 per cent of generation capacity mix by 2027," said the chief minister in a statement, after chairing the MTS meeting at Menara Kinabalu here.
Hajiji said these projects, prioritising government-linked and local Sabahan companies, are expected to be completed by the end of 2026. They will help reduce dependence on fuel subsidies, especially on the East Coast.
He added that the competitive bid prices, driven by encouraging participation, will serve as a reference for future energy projects to ensure optimal procurement practices.
The MTS also endorsed the Sabah Hydro Development Master Plan (SHDM) for implementation over 10 years (2028 to 2037).
"The SHDM study conducted by ECoS identified a potential of 1,500MW of hydropower. With this capacity, in addition to the 500MW already operating or approved, the total hydroelectric power generation, totalling about 2,000MW, will become one of the primary energy sources, reaching more than 38 per cent of the Sabah Grid generation capacity mix.
"This is one of the sustainable long-term solutions to meet our generation needs."
Hajiji said the meeting also focused on addressing current energy challenges in Sabah, including grid capacity shortage and stability while planning to meet the needs of medium- and long-term electricity demand.
"We have approved a review of the Power Development Plan (PDP) to ensure sufficient generation to meet current changes," he said.
Regarding rural electricity supply, Hajiji said the state government's commitment to achieving 100 per cent coverage in rural areas by 2030.
"We are exploring innovative approaches to expand electricity access to rural communities.
"Every Sabah citizen has the right to a stable electricity supply, and we will collaborate with various parties, including non-governmental organisations and the private sector, to realise this effort.
"These comprehensive initiatives demonstrate the state government's dedication to building strong and sustainable energy infrastructure for Sabah.
"We are not only addressing current needs but strategically planning for our future generations," he said.
Present at the meeting were Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, State Secretary Datuk Seri Safar Untong and ECoS chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid.