Sabah and Sarawak Joint Project to Boost Electricity Supply

Sabah’s electricity demand is rising in tandem with the rapid increase in population, industrial expansion, and economic development. The Sabah Energy Council, Energy Commission of Sabah and other relevant agencies, have implemented a comprehensive strategy to enhance and meet Sabah’s power demand.

One of the initiatives is the “Sabah-Sarawak Interconnection Power Grid” project which will also eventually lead to reduction on dependence of fossil fuel–based generation. “Sabah appreciates Sarawak’s willingness to be a strategic energy partner, not only through cooperation in cross-border electricity supply, but also as a Borneo development partner who shares a common future aspiration,” Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor said at the “Energisation of the Sabah-Sarawak Power Grid Interconnection Project” ceremony on 24 January 2026.

“By advancing cross-border infrastructure through the ASEAN Power Grid (APG), we are directly boosting the economic prospects of all participating nations. A resilient and sustainable power infrastructure will, in turn, strengthen both domestic and international investor confidence, driving further growth in our industrial, manufacturing, and downstream sectors.” Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Abang Openg also attended the ceremony held at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC), Kota Kinabalu.

This joint effort is a pivotal step towards realising the shared vision of boosting growth in BIMP-EAGA, Hajiji said. The Sabah-Sarawak Grid Interconnection is a significant step towards links with Kalimantan, Brunei Darussalam, and the Philippines, he added.

Sabah is continuing the implementation of several initiatives of diverse energy and power generation projects including using gas-based power plants as a transitional energy source; renewable energy, such as hydropower, solar, and wind; advanced energy storage technologies, such as the battery energy storage system and pumped storage hydro.

“Sabah’s energy progress is based on the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040, which focusses on renewable energy to lower carbon intensity, aligns with our climate change commitments, and ensures a greener and sustainable energy source,” Hajiji added.