New Solar Projects to Generate 199 MW

The Sabah Energy Council (Majlis Tenaga Sabah or MTS) of the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) will build 15 large-scale solar projects with a total capacity of 199MW. Eight of the projects (113 MW) are on the West Coast, while the remaining seven (86 MW) are on the East Coast and they will be completed by 2026. The additional and existing solar projects will generate 350 Megawatts or 23 per cent of generation capacity mix by 2027.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor who chaired a MTS meeting on 12 December 2024 in Kota Kinabalu said that the solar projects will reduce dependence on fuel subsidies, and especially on the East Coast. Hajiji said that the focus is to address Sabah’s energy challenges, including grid capacity shortage and stability. A 10-year (2028 to 2037) Sabah Hydro Development Master Plan has identified a potential of 1,500 MW of hydropower. With this capacity, in addition to the 500MW already operating or approved, the total hydroelectric power generation, totalling about 2,000 MW, will become one of Sabah’s primary energy sources, reaching more than 38 per cent of the Sabah Grid generation capacity mix.

Hajiji said that energy supply from hydro is one of the long-term solutions for the State and that the supply of power to rural areas will achieve 100% coverage by 2030. "Every Sabahan has the right to a stable electricity supply, and we will collaborate with various parties, including NGOs and the private sector, to realise this effort,” the CM said.