Kota Kinabalu: All State government-owned buildings will be offered solar energy installations to reduce electricity consumption, with implementation expected to begin next year, said Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk James Ratib.
He said his ministry (KPSTI) was ready to provide the service to interested State ministries and departments, although participation would not be compulsory.
“We are ready to install solar panels at any government department that wants them to reduce electricity consumption by up to about 10 per cent,” he said after the symbolic handover of 25 Smart TVs to Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Mohd Arifin Mohd Arif at Wisma Bandaraya here on Wednesday.
As an initial step, 24 libraries under KPSTI have been identified for solar installations, which James said could save about 10 per cent in costs and provide the State Government with a 32 per cent return.
James also said KPSTI had proposed working with the Local Government and Housing Ministry to install digital billboards at strategic locations statewide, while the solar, billboard and Smart TV initiatives would be implemented in stages as part of efforts to digitalise government services.
