Kota Kinabalu: Sabah is working towards achieving up to 50 per cent renewable energy capacity by 2035 through various projects, including hydroelectric, solar, geothermal and wind power.
“Sabah is gradually moving away from diesel and gas towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources in line with the Power Development Plan approved by the State Government,” said Deputy Chief Minister I cum Works and Utility Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
“In the medium term, the State Government is also diversifying renewable energy generation sources through geothermal development in Tawau and wind power development in northern Sabah.
“This includes large-scale hydro projects, including Oriole Hydroelectric Generation (162 megawatts) and the Upper Padas Hydroelectric Project (187 megawatts) at Sungai Padas, targeted for completion in 2029 and 2030, respectively,” he said in his winding-up speech.
He said several more hydro projects are undergoing feasibility studies and are expected to contribute additional capacity after 2030, with hydro request for proposals (RFP) processes implemented based on the Sabah Hydro Master Study results completed in 2024.
Responding to concerns about the absence of feed-in tariff or net energy metering schemes in the latest budget, Dr Joachim said solar power generation no longer needs government subsidies as it has become affordable and commercially viable.
“This has been proven through the Large-Scale Solar (LSS) Sabah 2024 Request for Proposal programme, where 199 megawatts of solar capacity were awarded through a competitive bidding process without dependence on tariff subsidies,” he said.
He noted that Net Energy Metering implementation in Sabah still requires technical and commercial evaluation to ensure grid stability.
Additionally, he pointed out that the State Government, through the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS), has implemented the Self-Consumption Photovoltaic Sabah programme, encouraging solar use for personal needs.
“Therefore, the State Government through ECoS will continue systematic renewable energy development, including another round of LSS bidding with 250 megawatts capacity in the first quarter of next year, as well as RFP implementation for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) with 200 megawatts capacity in the first quarter of 2026, to support renewable energy integration and grid stability,” he said.
He said all these initiatives support the target to achieve up to 50 per cent renewable energy capacity by 2035, thereby reducing dependence on diesel and gas generation while ensuring safety, stability and reliability of electricity supply in Sabah.
On the proposed wind power project, Dr Joachim said it has received an Initial Letter of Notification, which is conditional preliminary approval based on Sabah Energy Council approval on July 28, 2025 and is now at the Feasibility Study stage.
“However, construction cost details and project costs cannot be finalised until this feasibility study is completed. The feasibility study by Sabah Energy Corporation is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2026 and will go through a thorough evaluation process.
“If study results show this project is viable technically and economically, the proposal will be brought to the Sabah Energy Council for consideration and approval,” he said.
Additionally, he said appropriate BESS additions have been identified for implementation within three years to support renewable energy integration, including variable renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
Dr Joachim also addressed sewerage issues raised by several assemblymen.
For Sandakan, he said his Ministry, through the Sabah Sewerage Services Department (JPPS), plans to rehabilitate treatment plants handed over by local authorities throughout the Sandakan district in phases under RMK13 with State funding.
“In addition, under Supply Vote (S55), four maintenance work contracts for sewerage assets in Sandakan have been ongoing since February 2023. Under RMK13, the JPPS has also planned sewerage asset maintenance work in Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu and Tawau,” he said.
He said the Department is also actively implementing a sewerage scheme project funded by a federal loan, expected to be completed on March 4, 2028, after receiving a time extension.
For Kota Kinabalu, he said the sewerage system was handed over by Kota Kinabalu City Hall to the department in October 2024, with most assets in dilapidated condition experiencing recurring blockage issues.
“As a short-term solution, the JPPS is implementing thorough pipe cleaning and inspection work to identify the main cause of blockages and reduce sewage overflow incidents through contractor appointments in early November 2025 under the project Routine Maintenance and Pipe Inspection Sewerage Zone 3 Kota Kinabalu Phase One.
“This involves the Plaza Kingfisher area in the Darau constituency and the project Routine Maintenance and Pipe Inspection Sewerage Zone Two Kota Kinabalu Phase One, covering Bornean, Foh Sang, Taman Layang-Layang, Lintas and Hilltop areas in the Luyang constituency,” he said.
He said the Inanam Oxidation Pond is the main catchment area for the Kota Kinabalu sewerage system and is directly related to the river system in the Bangka-Bangka, Likas area.
“The condition of sewage treatment facilities that have not been thoroughly maintained for a long time has contributed to sewage overflow into Sungai Bangka-Bangka Likas, causing odour pollution and discomfort to residents,” he said.
As a short-term solution, on Oct 27, the Department began recovery efforts by appointing a contractor to implement a major clearance, desilting and drainage system improvement project at the oxidation pond.
“For the long-term solution, the JPPS has listed upgrading work for the Inanam Oxidation Pond as a priority project under the RMK13,” he said.
On street lighting issues raised by Sri Tanjong, Usukan, Tanjong Papat and Elopura, Dr Joachim said streetlight assets under the Public Works Department (JKR) supervision are limited to Federal roads maintained using Federal Government allocations only.
“In efforts to improve safety levels, my Ministry, through the JKR, also has a Road Safety Programme proposed in RMK13.
“This Road Safety Programme has small schemes with phased implementation to treat frequent accident locations, including dark areas.
“This includes nighttime visibility facilities, installation of solar LED street lights at intersections and bends, as well as installation of traffic control devices to provide warnings or guide road users for a safer road environment and use,” he said, adding that this programme implementation will be carried out in phases.
