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Daily Express
27-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
50pc renewable energy target by 2035 under roadmap and masterplan
Published on: Sunday, April 27, 2025 Published on: Sun, Apr 27, 2025 By: Sisca Humphrey Text Size: Director of Strategic Planning at the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) Terence John Kouju Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is embarking on a transformative journey towards clean energy, with the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040 (SE-RAMP 2040) setting an ambitious vision for a sustainable energy future, which was unveiled at the Sabah Renewable Energy Conference (SAREC) 2025. Director of Strategic Planning at the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) Terence John Kouju, said the roadmap outlines a clear path to meeting the State's energy demands with renewable sources, targeting 50 per cent renewable energy capacity by 2035. 'This shift represents a commitment to both cleaner energy and economic growth. 'It's a bold goal, but it's essential for Sabah's long-term energy security and environmental sustainability,' he said during the conference here, Thursday. The SE-RAMP 2040 not only focuses on expanding renewable energy sources but also aims to improve energy access and reliability, targeting a reduction in the System Average Interruption Duration Index (Saidi) to below 100 minutes by 2030 and achieving full rural electrification by 2030. Sabah's grid currently records a peak demand of 1,166 MW, with generation capacity projected to increase to 1,334 MW by early 2025 with 13 percent of that capacity coming from solar, hydro and bioenergy. 'To further stabilise the power supply, ECoS is prioritising technologies like Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). 'The 100 MW BESS project in Lahad Datu, expected to be completed by mid-2025, will play a crucial role in managing fluctuations in renewable energy generation,' he said. He also emphasised that rural electrification remains a top priority, with the State focusing on providing reliable, clean electricity to every household, regardless of location. 'Two special committees — the Jawatankuasa Elektrifikasi Luar Bandar Sabah (JELaS) and the Jawatankuasa Teknikal Pembangunan Hidro Sabah (JTPHS) — have been established to ensure that remote areas benefit from energy access and that hydropower resources are responsibly developed.' Terence said. Furthermore, Sabah is embracing advanced technologies like Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). 'With the Sabah OTEC Enactment 2024 in place, studies are underway to explore the potential of OTEC in coastal areas like Tawau, and collaboration with the Federal Government on SMRs could provide a transformative solution to Sabah's long-term energy needs,' he said. As the State progresses towards its renewable energy goals, Terence conveyed optimism that with coordinated efforts across the Government, private sector and local communities, Sabah is well on its way to becoming a regional leader in clean energy. 'Through strong collaboration and innovation, we are confident that our energy future will be sustainable, secure and environmentally responsible,' he added. With a clear roadmap, strategic projects and a strong commitment to sustainability, Sabah is on track to achieve its renewable energy targets and lay the foundation for a greener, more prosperous future. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * 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
Borneo Post
24-04-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah has to transition towards cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions
Arshad Mohamed Ismail KOTA KINABALU (Apr 24): Sabah needs to move towards cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions. Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad Group Chief Executive Officer Arshad Mohamed Ismail in his special address said that Sabah has initiated an ambitious yet necessary journey towards energy security and affordability as well as environmental sustainability after the launch of the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040 (SE-RAMP 2040). 'Blessed with abundant natural resources, Sabah has long been a key contributor to Malaysia's economy. However, the State's energy faces significant challenges that threaten its long-term sustainability,' he said at the Sabah Renewable Energy Conference (SAREC 2025) held at the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort on Thursday. Arshad elaborated that Sabah's electricity supply remains constrained, as reflected in the State's lower reserve margin compared to that of Peninsular Malaysia, underscoring the urgent need to expand generation capacity. 'The situation is further compounded by the State's heavy reliance on fossil fuels, with 86 percent of power generation currently dependent on natural gas – a resource that is finite in the long term. Despite having an estimated 101GW of renewable energy potential, particularly in hydro, solar and biomass, only 7.3 percent of Sabah's current energy mix is derived from renewable sources. This highlights the need for the State to transition towards cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions,' he said. 'This highlights the need for the State to move towards cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions,' he said. He also said that the launch of the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040 (SE-RAMP 2040) marks a bold vision to achieve reliable, accessible, affordable and sustainable energy by 2040. 'With ambitious targets – 50 percent renewable installed capacity by 2035, universal rural electrification by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2050 – achieving these goals demands substantial investment and robust public-private partnerships,' he reminded. Arshad also said that for Sabah to attract investors and drive the growth of its renewable energy sector, it must establish three key enablers. 'First, regulatory clarity is crucial – investors seek a stable and predictable policy environment. In this regard, the devolution of electricity and energy regulatory powers from the federal government to the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECOS) marks a significant step forward. This enables Sabah to take greater ownership of its energy resources and craft regulations that are better tailored to its specific needs and development goals.' 'Second, infrastructure readiness plays a crucial role. The expansion of transmission lines, particularly the 275kV Southern Link, will improve grid stability and enable higher renewable energy penetration. 'Lastly, innovative financial instruments such as green sukuk, ESG-linked loans, and blended finance models can offer alternative funding mechanisms. Sabah's vast solar, hydro and bioenergy resources make it an ideal destination for renewable energy investments. By aligning investment opportunities with national sustainability goals, Sabah can firmly establish itself as a leader in the green economy,' he said.
