Sabah's accelerated energy roadmap aims for 600MW expansion in a year

 By Olivia Miwil - January 3, 2024 @ 1:40pm

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the current shortage of generation capacity in the state is attributed to a surge in consumer demand, escalating from the usual 900 megawatts to 1,100MW within a year. BERNAMA PIC

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah is expected to increase the electricity supply by about 600 megawatts (MW) within a year.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the current shortage of generation capacity in the state is attributed to a surge in consumer demand, escalating from the usual 900 megawatts to 1,100MW within a year.

This heightened demand is also a direct result of the rapid economic development witnessed in the region, he said.

In response to this challenge, Hajiji highlighted the strategic approach outlined in the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040 (SE-RAMP 2040), officially launched on Sept 19, 2023.

"The state government's main focus is to ensure the implementation of the Short-Term Generation Development Plan on a fast track to achieve a robust generation spare capacity level of 30 per cent as soon as possible," he said during a special state assembly sitting.

He added that the electricity generation would come from, among others, the rental of diesel-fueled power sets up to 100MW in stages, an extension of operations for existing diesel-fueled power plants in Tawau for 70MW, and the implementation of a large-scale Solar (LSS) project for 62MW.

There will also be a proposal for the installation of a 100-megawatt Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) scheduled for completion in 2026 but to be expedited for commissioning in 2024.

Hajiji also said a 100MW gas-based power plant will be leased for an interim period until the permanent 100MW gas plant is constructed.

There will be operation of green energy sources through the feed-in tariff program, including 31.6MW from mini-hydro and 5.6MW from biogas in 2024, as well as the addition of a 100MW Large Scale Solar (LSS) project in 2025.

"Additionally, to ensure sustainable generation capacity, medium- and long-term generation development plans will be implemented, involving an increase in hydro-generated capacity by around 400MW, a 100MW large-scale solar project, and other generation projects.

"Major transmission line projects, including establishing a 275 kiloVolt transmission line connecting Sabah and Sarawak, and the Southern Link transmission line project, will strengthen Sabah's grid capacity and stability to meet future demands, especially from industrial consumers."