
Over 60,000 in Sabah, Labuan enjoy improved electricity from Petra projects
Published on: Mon, Jul 14, 2025 Text Size: Fadillah and others visit the KKBU project. More than 60,000 electricity users in Sabah and Labuan are now enjoying a more stable power supply following the completion of seven energy projects worth over RM260 million by the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry (Petra). The projects, which include grid upgrades, new substation connections and enhanced safety systems, cover areas from Tanjung Aru to Ranau, Batu Sapi and Labuan. Deputy Prime Minister and Petra Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof officiated the handover ceremony at the Kota Kinabalu Bulk Supply Substation (KKBU), part of a special federal initiative known as PPKBES. The KKBU project, under the 10th Malaysia Plan, replaces outdated systems and now supports 11,452 users including those at Kota Kinabalu International Airport, with enhanced capacity and newer gas-insulated switchgear and transformers. Among the other completed works is the RM34.92 million Labuan–Sipitang grid upgrade, enabling Sabah to eventually import up to 30MW of electricity from Sarawak through a regional Asean Power Grid once Sarawak's portion is completed. Inland, the RM31.3 million Ranau substation has connected the town to the state grid, reducing diesel dependency for over 15,000 users, while the RM30 million Batu Sapi substation has improved distribution in Sandakan's surrounding areas. Also completed are key infrastructure upgrades at Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Labuan's Rancha-Rancha substation, and a submarine cable protection system - all contributing to a stronger, cleaner and more reliable power network across the region. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
Eligible consumers to get 1.45 sen/kWh rebate in August under new mechanism
KUALA LUMPUR: Domestic electricity users consuming more than 600 kilowatt hours (kWh) a month will receive a rebate of 1.45 sen/kWh in August under the government's newly implemented Automatic Fuel Adjustment (AFA) mechanism, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. Fadillah, who is also Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said the rebate was made possible by a drop in global fuel prices, including natural gas and coal, major components of Malaysia's electricity generation mix. 'This rebate will apply from Aug 1 to 31 and reflects the actual decrease in input costs. 'Under the AFA system, electricity tariffs are now adjusted every month, providing a more accurate and transparent pricing mechanism for consumers,' he told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 29). The AFA, which replaces the previous biannual Imbalance Cost Pass-Through (ICPT) system, allows tariffs to be adjusted based on real-time fuel prices and forward projections. This shift is part of the government's broader push for energy transparency and fiscal sustainability, while encouraging smarter energy consumption habits. Fadillah added that domestic users consuming 600 kWh or less monthly will continue to be exempted from AFA charges, maintaining protection for lower-income households and light users. 'We want to ensure that the majority of consumers, particularly those who use electricity efficiently, are not burdened by fluctuations in global fuel prices,' he said. According to Fadillah, the August rebate marks the first time a monthly AFA adjustment has been publicly announced since the new structure was introduced on July 1, following the start of the fourth regulatory period (RP4).


The Star
3 hours ago
- The Star
New electricity tariff structure offers transparent breakdown, says Fadillah
KUALA LUMPUR: The government's revised electricity tariff structure for Peninsular Malaysia now includes a detailed cost breakdown and new energy efficiency incentives for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof. Fadillah, who is also the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister, said the new structure - announced by the Energy Commission (ST) on June 20 and implemented from July 1, 2025 - features a transparent itemisation of charges to help consumers better understand the cost components of electricity supply. 'For the first time, the electricity tariff structure clearly displays the energy charge, capacity charge, network charge and retail charge for each consumer category,' he told the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (July 29). He said this marked a departure from the previous format, which only listed the energy charge and minimum charge. The improved transparency is part of the government's broader effort to raise public awareness and encourage smarter energy use in line with the national energy transition agenda, he said. 'This is an early step towards educating Malaysians to become more energy-conscious consumers,' he added. Fadillah also said that the tariff classification for non-domestic users will no longer be based on economic activity but rather on connection voltage levels. 'This ensures that non-domestic consumers are charged tariffs that reflect the true cost of supplying electricity, while eliminating discrimination based on sector,' he said. The change, he explained, supports sustainability by offering a fair and equal platform for all non-domestic users, regardless of industry. As part of efforts to promote energy efficiency, the government has introduced direct incentives for consumers, including MSMEs with monthly electricity usage of 200kWh or less. 'These targeted incentives are aimed at encouraging efficient energy use among the domestic group and small businesses, which in turn helps balance electricity demand and boost renewable energy generation,' said Fadillah. In addition to these incentives, Fadillah also confirmed that the government has allocated RM40 million under the NUR@Petra programme (Nikmat Untuk Rakyat), aimed at helping households purchase energy-efficient appliances. 'The NUR@Petra programme currently offers rebates of up to RM400 for the purchase of 4- or 5-star energy-efficient air-conditioners and refrigerators,' he said, adding that the move is part of the broader push to reduce electricity consumption through smarter technology adoption. He further clarified that the RM40 monthly electricity rebate, which remains targeted at B40 households, is no longer strictly tied to the e-Kasih database. He said eligibility now also takes into account electricity consumption levels, particularly for households using 600kWh or less per month. 'This rebate system is now partly usage-based, ensuring that support reaches those who genuinely practise prudent energy use, not just those listed under a specific income category,' he said. He stressed that good energy management would not only lower utility costs but also support the broader shift towards cleaner energy sources. Additionally, he said the new tariff structure is designed to drive interest among non-domestic users in adopting renewable energy (RE) as a competitive alternative. 'With greater transparency in cost components, we hope more businesses will explore RE options as part of their corporate responsibility towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,' he said. Fadillah assured that the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Ministry, in collaboration with ST and Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), is rolling out infographics and public engagement materials to ensure that users fully understand the changes. Consumers may also contact TNB's careline for further clarification to avoid confusion or anxiety over the new tariff system, he added.
.jpg&w=3840&q=100)

Daily Express
5 hours ago
- Daily Express
Measat backs Sabah clean energy
Published on: Tuesday, July 29, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jul 29, 2025 By: Sherell Jeffrey Text Size: As someone born and raised in Sabah, Kenneth who has worked in communications and internet technology for over 30 years felt proud to be part of the IEW 2025 event. Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is getting the support it needs towards reaching its 2030 clean energy target with help from Malaysia East Asia Satellite's (Measat) space-based internet technology which connects and monitors renewable energy projects across the State's hilly terrain. 'Measat's Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) technology has proven effective in reaching remote areas and helps clean energy development in three main ways,' Measat Satellite Systems Sdn Bhd Senior Sales Director Kenneth Yong told Daily Express at the International Energy Week (IEW) 2025 in Kuching. 'First, it provides internet connections to faraway places so that power grids can be managed smartly from a distance. 'Second, it helps coordinate renewable energy projects like solar panel farms and water power plants that are built in remote areas without regular power lines. 'Third, it supports emergency response teams and environmental monitoring systems that are important for keeping energy facilities safe from natural disasters and other problems. 'Our VSAT technology is well-suited for Sabah and Sarawak's challenging terrains, enabling the implementation and management of renewable energy projects in remote locations,' he said, adding that Sabah has huge opportunities in the clean energy sector with abundant renewable energy resources like hydro, solar and geothermal. 'Satellite technology today has gone way past just providing internet connections but also offering solutions that support clean energy, protect the environment and smart infrastructure. 'This means, satellites can now do much more than just provide internet but can help solve environmental and energy problems,' he said. Under the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040, Sabah aims to get 35 per cent of its electricity from clean energy sources like solar and water power by 2030. Meanwhile, the summit, hosted by the Sarawak Energy and Environmental Sustainability Ministry and organised by Informa Markets, a world leading market-making company, brought together experts to discuss how technologies can transform the energy sector towards sustainability. Daily Express was among those invited for the event held at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching. As someone born and raised in Sabah, Kenneth who has worked in communications and internet technology for over 30 years felt proud to be part of the IEW 2025 event. 'As a Sabahan, it is personally important to take part in this important dialogue on clean energy and sustainability,' he said, talking about how Measat helps bring internet access to all parts of Borneo. 'Our CONNECTme NOW service is an important backbone, delivering connectivity via high-speed broadband in underserved areas outside the range of fibre internet and towers, connecting rural communities, businesses and energy project site. 'Measat provides fast internet to remote villages, small towns and work sites that cannot get regular internet connections because they are too far from the main internet cables and cell phone towers,' he said. Measat's internet from space and smart device connections have already helped big projects like the Tenom Pangi water power plant in Sabah and the Baleh water power project in Sarawak, allowing construction workers to stay connected to the internet even in faraway places where there are no phone lines or internet cables. Sabah has one of Asia's biggest protected forests, covering 3.5 million hectares, which Kenneth thinks is very important because trees absorb carbon dioxide and help fight climate change. 'I believe this will position Sabah as a leader in sustainable energy,' he said. Besides energy projects, Measat has shown its dedication to helping Sabah grow in an environmentally-friendly way through various community and nature protection programmes. 'Measat provided free broadband internet services to flood victims in Membakut, Beaufort and Keningau, facilitating relief and evacuation efforts,' Kenneth said. The Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Parks, Sabah Wildlife Department and Danau Girang Field Centre use Measat's CONNECTme internet services to help with forest protection and animal research work in forests, wildlife areas and islands. 'This work helps protect natural resources that are important for creating clean energy in the long run,' he said. In healthcare, Measat has teamed up with Mudah Health Tech on the Sihat Xpress telehealth kiosk programme which aims to bring medical services to up to one million people who do not have access to doctors or hospitals through digital technology. He said Sabah is expected to make up a big portion of the people who will benefit from this programme because it has many rural villages and people there often have trouble getting to healthcare facilities. A test run of the programme in Kampung Togop Darat 1, Ranau showed that almost half of the villagers who got health check-ups had high blood pressure or were close to having high blood pressure, proving how important it is to make health screenings easily available in remote areas. 'We are working closely with the healthcare authorities to identify areas with the most need for telehealth services to ensure more Sabahans can benefit in the quickest timeframe by simultaneously installing CONNECTme and telehealth services in areas that do not have internet services,' he said. He also said satellite communications had evolved with the entry of global players like Starlink. 'As an authorised Starlink reseller, Measat offers multi-orbit satellite solutions combining geostationary orbit and low Earth orbit capabilities to support government-linked digital initiatives, enterprise needs and remote operations. 'Measat views Starlink as a complement to Malaysia's broader connectivity ecosystem and as an authorised Starlink reseller, we believe multiple technologies are needed to bridge the digital divide effectively,' he said. He said Measat also plans expand satellite technology use in Sabah through smart farming (using satellites to monitor crops and plantations), better energy management (using satellite data to predict electricity needs) and environmental monitoring (tracking illegal logging and measuring pollution for carbon credit programmes). * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia