RANAU: Three community-based renewable energy milestones were reached in the district with the launch of a solar-hydro hybrid mini-grid system in Kampung Pokolon Paus and groundbreaking ceremonies for solar projects in Kampung Paus and Kampung Kodop Baru.
Officiating the launch, State Rural Development Ministry Permanent Secretary Datuk Myrna Jimenez said the community-based model offered a practical answer to one of Sabah’s longstanding rural development challenges.
“This initiative provides a practical and effective solution, especially for remote areas where conventional electrification approaches may be technically or economically challenging,” she said.
Myrna added that studies and mapping carried out by the Sabah Renewable Energy Rural Electrification consortium, known as Sabah RE2, showed that renewable energy technologies such as micro hydro, solar mini-grids and hybrid systems could be viable options for many rural villages in Sabah.
She said the Kampung Pokolon Paus experience would serve as a valuable reference in developing new policies and approaches towards achieving sustainable universal energy access in Sabah, through coordination by the Jawatankuasa Elektrifikasi Luar Bandar Sabah.
The Pokolon Paus system combines a 50kWp solar photovoltaic system with a 3.5kW pico hydro system and a 122kWh high-voltage Battery Energy Storage System.
It is designed to supply electricity to 42 houses and other communal facilities. The hybrid design draws on solar energy during dry and sunny periods, while the pico hydro component taps the village water source during rainy seasons when solar output may fall.
Battery storage ties both sources together to maintain a more stable and continuous supply.
A Sabah RE2 representative said the system demonstrated how renewable energy could support round-the-clock electricity access while responding to the realities of climate change.
The project was built upon an earlier pico hydro system developed through local community effort, which had grown insufficient to meet the village’s current electricity needs.
Funding came from three organisations, namely Seacology, CMAD and EKOenergy Eco Label. The project was implemented by Tonibung, Pacos Trust and Green Empowerment under the Sabah RE2 platform.
Sabah RE2 credited the Pokolon Paus Renewable Energy Committee, WKAN Piturus Kunsal and Kampung Paus Village Chief Dualis Guni for their leadership and cooperation throughout the project.
It said the role of local leadership and the community was important in ensuring that the system was not only built, but also properly managed and maintained for long-term benefit.
Community participation included coordination, gotong-royong and long-term management through the village Renewable Energy Committee.
The project is expected to support household needs, communal facilities, education, communication and future socio-economic activities in the village.
In Kampung Paus, the groundbreaking ceremony marked the start of a 100kWp solar photovoltaic project set to benefit Kampung Paus and Kampung Garakan, covering more than 80 houses.
In Kampung Kodop Baru, the groundbreaking marked the beginning of a 30kWp solar photovoltaic project that will include an open-concept community hall, battery storage and rooftop-mounted solar panels.
Sabah RE2 said the three milestones marked an important step in expanding community-based renewable energy access in rural Sabah, adding that solar mini-grids, pico and micro hydro systems, and hybrid renewable energy systems provide practical alternatives for villages where conventional grid extension remains difficult, costly or unsuitable.
The programme was spearheaded by Tonibung, Pacos Trust, Green Empowerment and other project partners under Sabah RE2, together with local communities and volunteers.
