28/04/2025

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MONDAY | APR 28, 2025

Sabah wants to be Asean’s renewable energy model

Malaysian palm oil totalling 100,000 tonnes enters UK tariff free under CPTPP LONDON: A shipment of Malaysian palm oil from Sabah totalling 100,000 tonnes entered the storage depot at the Port of Liverpool, England, on April 5, said Malaysian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Datuk Zakri Jaafar. This marked the first consignment of Malaysian palm oil under the Com prehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) with zero tariff, he said. “Through the CPTPP, Malaysian and UK companies are now able to expand their markets further and can enhance bilateral trade prospects,” he said during a dinner hosted for Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, who is also the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation, at the Malaysian High Commission in London on Friday. The UK acceded to the CPTPP on Dec 15 last year, making it the first European country to join the Asia-Pacific trade bloc. For Malaysia, the CPTPP agree ment came into effect on Nov 29, 2022. On the renewable energy sector, Zakri said Malaysia’s involvement in the UK will yield significant long-term benefits for the country, particularly in terms of technology transfer. “The launch of high-capacity solar farms operated by a TNB subsidiary at Eastfield and Bunkers Hill in January this year showcases Malaysia’s capability to participate in global sustainable energy solution efforts,” he said. The solar farms were launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Jan 17 during his official visit to the UK. The farms – in Bunkers Hill, Rother wick, and Eastfield, Harbury – are advanced and innovative projects. The combined capacity of 102MW high lights Malaysia’s expertise in driving global sustainable energy solutions. Malaysia is the UK’s fourth-largest trading partner in Southeast Asia, with total trade reaching RM15.3 billion in 2024. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s total investment in the UK reached £19 billion (RM83 billion) in the same year. – Bernama

Ű BY JOHN GILBERT sunbiz@thesundaily.com

that Sabah is increasing its efforts to proactively build a renewable energy future, capitalising on its abundant resources to build its readiness to meet the global energy landscape that is tangled in the trilemma of security, affordability and sustainability. “I believe if we can commission the 50-megawatt Sabah Solar PV Park that is responsible for powering over 10,000 households, then we can envision a future and initiate our progress towards achieving more than 50% capacity of renewable energy share com prising multiple portfolios of renewable resources. “However, we cannot deny that big visions would require long-term commitment that begins with establishing a framework that is personalised to Sabah’s needs.” Hajiji said this understanding led to the establishment of the Energy Commission of Sabah and the shift of regulatory autonomy from federal to Sabah. He also noted the importance of synergistic relationship, and such synergy is best achieved by promoting better alignment of Sabah’s develop ment to that of Malaysia. “And we do this by charting our own strategic measures that are customised to suit our advantages. This establishment is our call for action towards gaining autonomy in deciding what we believe is best for us. It is a call for action that Sabah is ready to embark on a journey that will push our energy trajectory into one that position our state as one of the key drivers in contributing to Malaysia’s success in reducing its carbon footprint. “With the transfer of regulatory authority and guidance from the Sabah Energy Road Map and Masterplan, we aim to align with the goals of the National Energy Transition Roadmap by developing our own flagship projects. “These initiatives will mark Sabah’s journey towards becoming a low greenhouse gas emission state by 2050,” Hajiji said.

o Government welcomes investors from around the globe, ample market share to be captured across supply chain of clean power industry, says CM

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah can transform into a model for renewable energy development within the Asean region with the support of financial institutions and robust regulatory framework inputs from industry experts. Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Hajiji Noor said it is with utmost confidence that the govern ment welcomes investors, entre preneurs and partners from around the globe in establishing a symbiotic relationship that will ultimately play a vital role in shaping the state’s future. “Sabah is open for business, and throughout my tenure as the head of the administration, we have established not just a framework but also an action plan that has made significant strides in creating a business-friendly environment as a result of streamlining our policies. “The fact that we have much more development translates directly into exciting opportunities. I believe that the untapped potential means there is still an ample market

borated closely with the federal government. “In every growing economy, it is a consensual understanding that energy is not a side agenda. It is the core of economic development and with the vision of reducing carbon footprint shared globally, Sabah is no exception to partake in this endeavour. “Every school that lights up, every factory that expands, and every job that is created to support the adoption of renewable energy tells us one thing: Sabah’s energy future is Malaysia’s economic future. “The government firmly shares this belief and transcends it beyond just kilowatts and carbon emi ssions,” he said. Hajiji said it is because of this

share to be captured across the supply chain of this industry,” he told delegates at the Sabah Renewable Energy Conference 2025: Corridor to Transform Vision to Reality last week. The conference was hosted by Malaysian Rating Corporation Bhd (MARC), in collaboration with Qhazanah Sabah Bhd, the strategic investment arm of the Sabah state government. The event was attended by representatives from Qhazanah Sabah, MARC, Energy Commission of Sabah, Sustainable Energy Development Authority and government officials from Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. Hajiji said while there are climate shift and energy volatility, Sabah has shown resilience, where the state has adapted and colla

From left: MARC Ratings CEO Rajan Paramesran; Sabah Energy Corporation Sdn Bhd CEO Datuk Adzmir Abd Rahman; Jetama Sdn Bhd CEO Datuk Ahmad Naim Uddang; Qhazanah Sabah chairman Datuk Dr Yusof Yacob; Sabah Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun; Ahmad Rizal; Malaysian Rating Corporation group CEO Arshad Mohamed Ismail and chief commercial officer Badrul Hisham Zawawi; Maybank managing director responsible for clients within the federal and state government in group global banking Ahmad Faizal Ahmad Zazli; and community distribution regional director Amylin Blantocas Tiamson at the launch of the Sabah Renewable Energy Conference 2025 last week.

‘Strategic location, abundant natural resources fuel RE development’ KOTA KINABALU: The growth of renewable energy (RE) in Sabah is not just an aspiration but a step forward towards reality, Qhazanah Sabah Bhd group CEO Datuk Ahmad Rizal Dahli said. as Indonesia’s Nusantara. “With Sabah’s abundance of natural resources – especially its high solar radiation levels – it holds enormous potential for renewable energy development. Ahmad Rizal said the synergy between public and private sectors, regulators and investors, and innovators and implementers is essential. aligned capital flows are no longer optional – they are key drivers of future growth,” he said. the change within Sabah’s renew able energy industry.

“Let today be the start of stronger collaboration and bold, forward-thinking ideas. Together, we must commit to building a Sabah that stands out in Malaysia’s clean energy future. This is no longer a choice – it’s a necessity. Each of us has a role to play in protecting our environment while still creating economic oppor tunities,“ Ahmad Rizal said. - by JOHN GILBERT

Ahmad Rizal said RE goes beyond just power generation and infrastructure – it is about uplifting communities, creating quality jobs, and building resilience across Sabah, especially among rural and indigenous populations. “To us, partnerships reflect the significant collaboration between the public and private sectors to achieve a collective goal to drive

“Looking ahead, it is essential to foster collaboration that leverages the strengths of all stakeholder groups – from financial institutions and technology providers to regulators and asset developers. “To achieve this, we recognise that green financing, sustainable investment models, and ESG

“In fact, the state could generate up to 99.4GW from solar PV alone, making it a promising player in shaping sustainable energy solu tions for the future,” he told delegates at the Sabah Renewable Energy Conference 2025 held last week.

He said Sabah is strategically located near several rapidly growing regional economies, giving the state the potential to tap into new market opportunities and benefit from spillover effects – especially with its close proximity to emerging economic hubs such