KOTA KINABALU: Sabahans can expect a more reliable power supply with the completion of a 100MegaWatt Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), set to be operational by June this year.
Located at Dam Road in Lahad Datu, the state-of-the-art and Southeast Asia’s largest facility will house 188 battery units, providing an energy storage capacity of 400MWh.
“This development is expected to significantly boost Sabah’s power reserve margin to at least 25%,” said Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) chief executive officer, Datuk Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid.
He added, currently the reserve margin was between 5% and 22%, with an eventual goal of raising it to 30%.
"The key importance of this project is to enhance Sabah’s grid capacity.
"With the completion of the BESS and other projects - such as the Kimanis Gas Rental plant, which is expected to be operational by June - we can ensure a more stable power supply for the state,” Nasser said during a site visit on Monday (Feb 17).
Nasser said that BESS offered one of the fastest solutions for increasing energy capacity, compared to other methods, such as renting additional power sources.
He also emphasised its environmental benefits, as the system would harness solar energy, reducing the state’s dependence on diesel.
“This project aligns with Sabah’s move towards cleaner energy solutions,” he added.
Addressing safety concerns, Nasser assured Sabahans that BESS complied with both international and local standards, including the Sabah Grid Code.
“A factory test is scheduled for this month, which is crucial to ensuring its reliability. This battery technology is proven and has been successfully used in places like Sarawak and Singapore for several years,” he said.
During his visit, Nasser expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project, confident that Elopura Power and Sabah Electricity would complete it on schedule.
The completion of the BESS, along with the Kimanis Gas Rental plant, would mark a significant milestone in Sabah’s efforts to ensure long-term energy security, paving the way for a more resilient and sustainable power supply.
