By WU VUIDE
KOTA KINABALU: The energy sector is crucial to Sabah’s future economic development, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said this was why the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040 (Sabah Energy RAMP 2040) was launched—to chart the way forward and outline key priorities for the state’s energy sector.
“With this, Sabah should be able to develop and provide up to 75 per cent of the nation’s green energy supply.
“The State Government looks forward to the continued cooperation and support of all stakeholders in driving Sabah towards a greener and more sustainable future,” he said at the Sabah Renewable Energy Conference 2025: Corridor to Transform Vision to Reality (SAREC 2025), held at a resort hotel here.
Hajiji’s speech was delivered by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun.
He said Sabah’s abundance of renewable energy sources offers strong prospects for contributing significantly to both the state and the nation’s transformation into a high value-added economy.
“The energy sector has been a critical engine of growth for Sabah’s economy over the past decades, contributing significantly to the state’s economic performance.
“It is my aspiration to see Sabah’s energy sector continue to grow while contributing to positive social outcomes that uplift the quality of life of the people,” he said.
Hajiji noted that the State Government has been implementing programmes to promote economic activities and accelerate growth in order to shape and strengthen Sabah’s renewable energy and green industry sector.
“The State Government will continue to develop the necessary infrastructure related to the energy sector.
“We have been steadfast in our pursuit of taking control and managing the state’s energy resources to empower Sabah to develop and grow the sector more effectively and efficiently,” he added.
Hajiji also reiterated that the government had identified a new economic sector—the Blue Economy—which involves the sustainable exploration of Sabah’s rich marine and coastal resources.
He said that in April last year, the Sabah Legislative Assembly approved the new Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Enactment 2024, paving the way for OTEC to be developed as a new source of renewable energy and one of the initiatives under the Blue Economy.
Hajiji commended Qhazanah Sabah Berhad and the Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad for bringing SAREC 2025 to fruition.
“The State Government is ready to collaborate with all stakeholders to unite efforts, exchange ideas, and explore solutions,” he said.
