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SABAH has launched the largest battery energy storage system in both Malaysia and Southeast Asia, a landmark development aimed at strengthening the state’s electrical grid, enhancing energy security, and supporting renewable energy integration.
The Lahad Datu Battery Energy Storage System (BESS Lahad Datu), managed under Sabah Electricity, was officially inaugurated at the Sabah International Convention Centre by Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah, Tun Musa Aman.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor emphasised the strategic significance of the project, which is designed to reduce dependence on diesel generation and mitigate the risk of power interruptions, particularly on the East Coast.
“This initiative is part of the state government’s commitment to ensuring a stable, sufficient, and affordable electricity supply for the people, while also reducing the risk of power interruptions on the East Coast and improving the quality of life for our citizens,” Hajiji said, with his remarks delivered by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, who also serves as State Minister for Works and Utilities.
BESS Lahad Datu boasts an impressive 100-megawatt (MW) capacity and 400-megawatt-hour (MWh) energy storage, forming a critical pillar of the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Masterplan 2040 (SERAMP 2040).
Hajiji outlined that the roadmap focuses on three core principles: energy security, affordability, and environmental sustainability.
“All of these initiatives are vital to ensuring socioeconomic progress and enhancing the well-being of the people throughout the state,” he added, highlighting the broader impact of the energy transition on Sabah’s development.
The Chief Minister added the transfer of electricity supply and renewable energy regulatory authority from the federal government to Sabah in January 2024 has allowed the state to implement its own policies and accelerate energy projects under the supervision of the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS).
To strengthen power generation, the state has approved nearly 1,000 MW of new capacity from renewable sources including hydro, solar, and wind. ECoS has also initiated Large-Scale Solar (LSS) bids for projects ranging from 1MWac to 15MWac, with 15 projects already approved, adding a combined capacity of 199 MW on the West Coast and 86 MW on the East Coast.
“With both existing and upcoming projects, the LSS capacity in Sabah is expected to exceed 350 MW by 2027, representing 23 per cent of the state’s total electricity generation capacity,” Hajiji said, underscoring Sabah’s commitment to sustainable energy and improved living standards for its residents.
The BESS Lahad Datu project signals Sabah’s emergence as a regional leader in advanced energy infrastructure and reinforces the state’s trajectory toward a resilient, clean, and modern electricity network. - December 12, 2025
