Kota Kinabalu: The recent near-total blackout that crippled Sabah’s East Coast for almost a week has exposed a critical vulnerability in the state’s electricity supply system, said POIC Sabah Chairman Datuk Yong Teck Lee.
He said the prolonged power outage, triggered by the collapse of a single transmission tower in Penampang following a landslide, underscored the precarious state of Sabah’s energy security, particularly the over-reliance on long-distance power transmission across challenging terrain.
“The vulnerability of the state’s electric grid system puts our energy security in a precarious situation,” said Yong in a statement on Tuesday.
“Beyond the misery caused to residents, the economic cost to affected districts is significant.”Yong revealed that the blackout had forced POIC Sabah to cancel a scheduled visit by a well-known university that had been exploring the establishment of an advanced research laboratory in Lahad Datu.
The lab was to focus on converting oil palm waste into high-value energy products.
“In addition, existing investors at POIC continue to suffer losses whenever power disruptions occur,” he added.
Yong said the crisis had proven the need for a decentralised approach to electricity generation, stressing that localised systems such as battery energy storage and renewable power plants should be prioritised.
He noted that while the recently completed 100MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Lahad Datu was expected to meet the power needs of Lahad Datu and Kunak, load-sharing with Sandakan, Tawau, and other East Coast districts rendered the supply inadequate.
“To ensure real energy security, the government should plan for localised power generation that is not dependent on long transmission lines that have to straddle hills and mountainous terrains.”“Towns like Sandakan and Tawau should have their own BESS that can supply their adjacent districts. Similar systems also should be deployed in Kudat and Tenom,” Yong suggested.
In light of Sabah’s Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040—launched by the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS)—Yong urged the agency to expedite implementation of the approved large-scale solar projects.
“Large-scale solar power generation projects approved by ECoS must move forward without further delay,” he said. “POIC Sabah itself will actively pursue the development of a solar power plant in Lahad Datu.”He also called on ECoS to clarify the status of the long-delayed Southern Link, an alternative transmission route designed to connect Sabah’s West and East coasts.
“The Southern Link is crucial for redundancy in our power supply network. Its continued delay raises questions about our preparedness for future disruptions,” he said.
The blackout, which began after the collapse of a critical transmission tower, has sparked renewed calls for infrastructure resilience and energy reform across Sabah.
