Sabah Launches Numerous Initiatives to Boost Power

Sabah begins exploring new renewable energy sources in the months ahead to achieve a 30 per cent reserve margin and to address power shortage. The Sabah Energy Council / Majlis Tenaga Sabah (MTS) – in its inaugural meeting on 6 June 2024, chaired by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor - has approved various initiatives to explore new energy sources such as wind, geothermal and low-head submersible hydropower projects.

At the meeting, the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) also informed of its agenda including continuation of the purchase of power from biomass plants; speeding up of the completion of ongoing Large-Scale Solar (LSS) projects; securing additional LSS from Sarawak; implementing Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS); securing additional natural gas-fired power plants as transitional fuel; and revival of geothermal plants.

The meeting discussed exploring new technologies such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as part of long-term plans for a reliable and sustainable energy reserves. Sabah’s power supply and reserves is undergoing transformation through the implementation of the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Masterplan 2040 (SE-RAMP 2040) that was launched on 19 September 2023. The State’s present current energy challenges include capacity shortage and grid stability.

MTS – which was established in March 2024 following the handing over of power regulatory authority from the Federal Government to Sabah and to replace the Sabah Tariff and Electricity Supply Implementation and Planning Committee (JPPPET) - will monitor the efficacy of the SE-RAMP 2040 strategies and initiatives.