Kota Kinabalu: A seawater desalination facility at the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) in Lahad Datu is set to increase its production capacity from 500,000 litres to 2.5 million litres per day by August this year.
Jetama Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Officer Datuk Ahmad Naim Uddang said the plant currently produces only 0.5 million litres daily but will undergo a five-fold expansion using innovative technology that processes seawater directly on-site for industrial use.
“This new technology differs from conventional methods that rely on river water sources. It allows immediate treatment,” Ahmad Naim said after a courtesy visit to Head of State Tun Musa Aman on Monday.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});The company is currently conducting a proof of concept to test the technology’s efficiency, with capacity increases planned once the trials prove successful.
Ahmad Naim described the initiative as a dual-purpose solution that addresses both industrial water supply challenges and potential domestic water needs in surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, Jetama Chairman Datuk Yussof Abdul Manan pointed out the company’s expansion into renewable energy through floating solar power projects.
The firm operates one solar plant in Labuan, while a second 15-megawatt project in Batu Sapi is finalising its Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
A third project at the Babagon Dam in Penampang will become Sabah’s first floating solar facility with a capacity of 13.21 MWac. The PPA for this project is also being finalised and is expected to be sealed this month.
