KUALA LUMPUR — Sabah Electricity has its grid ready for connection to Sarawak to facilitate the supply of excess electricity to southern Philippines, the state utility company’s chairman said.
Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau said the request by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for Sarawak to supply excess power to the southern Philippines via Sabah would also bring benefit to Sabah populations that need reliable electricity supply.
“This is not just a business opportunity for Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) that will benefit our neighbouring state, but is also a very positive move to hasten the connection of the grid between Sabah and Sarawak.
“In this context, Sabah Electricity has already completed Sabah’s grid for connected to Sarawak. We are now waiting for Sarawak to complete its grid to be connected to Sabah,” Madius, who is also Tuaran MP, said in a statement.
He said Anwar’s request to Sarawak was a constructive one, in view of the fact that both states had already signed an agreement for electricity supply beginning with 30MW, with plans for a further increase to 100MW.
“However, this first requires grid connection between the two states.”
Madius also said export to the Philippines can be even more efficient if Sabah’s Southern Link grid project can be completed quickly.
This would involve adding 330km-long cables from Sipitang to Tenom, and from Kalabakan to Tawau, to the existing grid line.
“This is the most strategic way to improve the stability of electricity supply in Sabah while also strengthening energy networks in this region,” he said.
Earlier this week, on Feb 17, Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg announced in Kuching that Anwar had asked the state to supply excess electricity to southern Philippines, through Sabah, starting next year.
Abang Johari said the electricity would be generated from a 500-MW combined cycle gas turbine power plant in Miri, as well as by three other plants with a combined capacity of 1,500MW in Bintulu.
The Sarawak premier welcomed the prime minister’s request as it boosted Sarawak’s role as an energy supplier within Asean. – February 21, 2025