Kota Kinabalu: The Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) on Thursday launched a RM4 million Solar Rakyat Sabah rebate scheme and a 10-year energy efficiency roadmap to accelerate the State’s transition towards a more sustainable, resilient and low-carbon energy future.
ECoS Chief Executive Officer Datuk Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid said the initiatives reflected the commission’s commitment to strengthening Sabah’s energy ecosystem through an integrated approach encompassing policy, technology, human capital development, community wellbeing and strategic partnerships.
“Building a more sustainable energy system requires the participation of all stakeholders,” he said at the Sabah Sustainable Energy for the People programme launch.
The programme was officiated by Head of State Tun Musa Aman.
Abdul Nasser said the initiatives introduced today clearly demonstrate our collective commitment to advancing Sabah’s energy transition for the direct benefit of the people and the State’s economic development.
A key highlight of the event was the launch of the Sabah Energy Efficiency Action Plan (SEEAP), one of 16 strategic initiatives under the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040 (SE-RAMP 2040), which provides the framework for improving energy efficiency over the next decade.
He noted that the plan targets an 8.5 per cent reduction in energy consumption by 2036 compared with a business-as-usual scenario through practical, phased and data-driven measures across the residential, commercial and industrial sectors.
Studies indicate SEEAP could save 4.3 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity over 10 years, reduce electricity supply costs by RM2 billion and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 1.9 million tonnes, equivalent to the annual emissions of about 41,000 vehicles.
The ceremony also marked the launch of the Solar Rakyat Sabah programme, backed by a RM4 million allocation from the Sabah Electricity Supply Industry Trust Account (AAIBES), to encourage wider adoption of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems by domestic consumers.
Eligible single-phase households will receive a rebate of RM1,000 for every one kilowatt installed, up to a maximum of four kilowatts, reducing installation costs by an estimated 25 to 30 per cent.
Homeowners may also install solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems without upfront capital through financing provided by Sabah Registered PV Investors, with repayments made from electricity bill savings.
“The energy transition is not merely about building new infrastructure or increasing generation capacity, but also about changing the way we use energy more efficiently and responsibly,” Abdul Nasser said.
He said the success of Sabah’s sustainable energy agenda depended on the commitment of government, industry, educational institutions and the wider community.
“All these initiatives demonstrate that sustainable energy development requires the participation of the entire ecosystem, from policymakers and regulators to the private sector, training institutions and the community,” he said.
The event also recognised achievements under the Selco PV Sabah 2.0 campaign, including the Government Lead by Example initiative by the Sabah Economic Development and Investment Authority (Sedia) and Universiti Malaysia Sabah’s commercial solar installation, the largest Selco PV project in Sabah, alongside ECoS’ Khidmat Budi Sustainable Energy CSR programme benefiting welfare organisations, places of worship, educational institutions and local communities.
A memorandum of understanding was also exchanged between ECoS and the National Entrepreneurship Institute (Insken) to develop TVET entrepreneurs and strengthen human capital for Sabah’s energy sector, marking Insken’s first collaboration with Malaysia’s energy industry.
“May the efforts we undertake today become a catalyst for a more efficient, sustainable and resilient energy system for the wellbeing of the people and the prosperity of the State,” Abdul Nasser said.
Also present was Deputy Chief Minister I and Works and Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, representing Chief Minister along with ministers, government officials, industry representatives and ECoS strategic partners.
