Tenom Pangi hydroelectric plant fully operational again after 2022 landslide
TENOM (May 14): The Tenom Pangi Hydroelectric Power Station has resumed full operations following extensive restoration efforts after it was severely damaged by a landslide and mudslide on 30 October 2022.
The restoration was spearheaded by Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd's (SESB) technical team under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Ir. Ts. Mohd Yaakob Haji Jaafar, in collaboration with appointed contractors who worked tirelessly to rebuild the facility.
Deputy Chief Minister III and Minister of Works, Datuk Shahelmey Yahya, said the incident had resulted in the loss of 66MW in generation capacity, significantly impacting Sabah's electricity supply system.
'With the plant now fully operational, electricity generation to the Sabah Grid has been restored, enhancing supply stability for consumers,' he said during the re-operation ceremony and the 40th anniversary celebration of the Tenom Pangi Hydroelectric Power Station.
Originally constructed between 1978 and 1984, the station celebrated its 40th anniversary of operation on 11 April 2025. Over the decades, it has served as a key source of renewable energy for Tenom and surrounding areas, playing a vital role in the state's development.
Shahelmey reaffirmed the state government's commitment to balanced development across Sabah, including rural areas, by ensuring access to essential infrastructure such as electricity.
'A stable power supply is crucial for Sabah to become a sustainable destination for investment and industry,' he said. 'To achieve this, the State Government is working with the Federal Government and aligning with the Sabah Energy Master Plan and Roadmap 2040 (SE-RAMP 2040), driven by ECoS.'
He added that several strategic projects are being planned to address generation capacity issues and raise Sabah's electricity reserve margin from 12.4% to 20% by July this year.
These include: Energy imports from Sarawak beginning this year; A new 100MW power plant scheduled for 2026–2027; A 100MW large-scale solar farm to be developed in 2026; The Ulu Padas Hydroelectric Project, expected to complete in 2029.
With RM102.9 million allocated by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Energy Transition and Water Transformation (PETRA) this year, Shahelmey said these projects are expected to proceed smoothly and contribute to boosting the Sabah Grid's reserve margin by 2030.
'These proactive efforts are key to ensuring continuous progress in Sabah and delivering quality, stable electricity to all levels of society,' he added.
Also present at the event were Sabah Electricity chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau, Tenom MP Riduan Rubin, Kemabong assemblyman Datuk Rubin Balang, Sabah Urban Development Corporation chairman Datuk Jamawi Jaafar, and SESB CEO Ir. Ts. Mohd Yaakob Jaafar.
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