KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Energy Council (MTS) today approved the award of large-scale solar (LSS) projects to 15 bidders with a total capacity of 199 megawatts (MW) under the large-scale solar (LSS Sabah) 2024 bidding process conducted by the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS).
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said eight projects with a capacity of 113MW are on the state’s 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 (capacity) in Sabah will exceed 350MW or 23 per cent of the generation capacity mix by 2027,” he said in a statement after chairing the MTS meeting at Menara Kinabalu here today.
Hajiji said these projects, prioritising government-linked and local Sabahan companies, are expected to be completed by the end of 2026 and help reduce dependence on fuel subsidies, especially on the east coast.
The chief minister also noted that the bid prices offered were competitive through encouraging participation and will become a reference for future energy projects to ensure best procurement practices.
Also present at the meeting were State Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Minister Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe, State Secretary Datuk Safar Untong and Sabah Energy Commission (ECoS) chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid.
Hajiji said the MTS also endorsed implementing the Sabah Hydro Development Master Plan (SHDM) over 10 years, from 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,” he said.
Hajiji said 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.
He 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 added.
Regarding rural electricity supply, Hajiji reiterated the state government’s commitment to achieve 100 per cent coverage in rural areas by 2030. - Bernama
