THE Sabah-Sarawak power grid connection launched on Saturday marks a major step towards improving Sabah’s electricity supply and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The 275kV power grid interconnection officially began operations on Dec. 13, 2025, reflecting a milestone in Borneo’s energy landscape.
“The project will make power supply in Sabah more stable and dependable while ensuring enough electricity to go around,” said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor at the Energisation of the Sarawak-Sabah Power Grid Interconnection Project’s official ceremony, here, Saturday.
“This will also lead to a gradual reduction in our dependence on fossil fuel-based power plants, strengthen Sabah’s electricity reserves and boost investor confidence in the reliability of our power supply,” he added.
Hajiji thanked Sarawak for being a key energy partner, noting the partnership extends beyond electricity sharing to developing Borneo as a whole.
The power link supports the goals of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) and fits into the Asean Power Grid plan aimed at improving economic opportunities across the region.
Hajiji said a strong and sustainable power system will attract both local and foreign investors, helping Sabah’s industrial, manufacturing, and other economic sectors to grow. The Sabah-Sarawak link paves the way for future connections with Kalimantan, Brunei and eventually the Southern Philippines.
With Sabah’s electricity demand growing due to population increases and industrial development, the State Government has rolled out plans through the Sabah Energy Council and Energy Commission to meet this demand.
New power plants using different energy sources are being built, with gas-based plants serving as temporary solutions while renewable energy options like hydropower, solar and wind power are expanded.
Modern storage systems including large batteries and pumped storage dams are also part of the plan.
“These steps are designed not only to increase our power capacity but also to reduce risks by not relying too heavily on just one energy source,” Hajiji said.
The Sabah Government is committed to environmental protection, following the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040, which focuses on renewable energy to lower carbon emissions.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari said the interconnection is a strategic long-term investment that strengthens energy resilience and supports sustainable growth across Sarawak, Sabah and Borneo.
“Reliable electricity is the backbone of economic development and social wellbeing. It powers industries, enables businesses to grow, supports public essential services and sustains the daily lives of our communities,” he said.
The connection allows electricity to flow efficiently across state boundaries, ensuring supply is available where and when needed most, which enhances system reliability and energy security for both states.
“This is energy resilience in its most practical sense, resilience that gives businesses the confidence to invest, industries the assurance to expand, and communities the certainty that the electricity they depend on every day will remain reliable and secure,” he said.
Sarawak currently operates 3,558MW of large-scale hydropower capacity. This will be strengthened with an additional 1,285MW from the Baleh hydropower project by 2030, bringing total hydropower capacity to 4,843MW.
Sarawak is also exploring floating solar installations on existing reservoirs to increase generating capacity to 10GW by 2030 and 15GW by 2035, positioning itself as a regional renewable energy powerhouse.
The Sarawak-Sabah interconnection builds on Sarawak’s experience with cross-border power cooperation. Since 2016, Sarawak has been exporting electricity to West Kalimantan, Indonesia.
“This decade-long partnership has demonstrated the tangible benefits of regional energy cooperation, including improved system reliability, more efficient resource utilisation, stronger cross-border relationships and enhanced sustainability outcomes through reduced reliance on carbon-intensive generation,” Abang Johari said.
The interconnection represents a foundational step toward developing an integrated Borneo Grid.
Sarawak and Brunei have agreed in principle to develop a power export connection by around 2030, while feasibility studies are underway for a connection to Peninsular Malaysia.
The Sarawak-Singapore interconnection project has received conditional approval for exporting up to 1GW of renewable energy, with operations anticipated by the mid-2030s or earlier.
“Together, these initiatives lay the groundwork for the development of an interconnected Borneo forming the Borneo Grid, where enhanced connectivity will enable better system planning, improved management of variability and greater integration of renewable energy,” he said.
Abang Johari commended Sarawak Energy, Sabah Electricity and all stakeholders for their dedication in delivering the project through close coordination between utilities, both state governments, the Federal Government, regulators and project partners.
“Let this interconnection stand as a symbol of what we can achieve together, a future where clean energy powers growth and unites Borneo and Asean in shared progress,” he said.
