By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, Feb 20: The export of electricity from Sarawak to the Philippines will be more effective if the Southern Link Project —a 330-kilometer transmission line from Sipitang to Tenom, Kalabakan, and Tawau—is expedited, said Sabah Electricity chairman Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau.
Madius highlighted this in welcoming the proposal by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for Sarawak to supply excess electricity to Southern Philippines starting next year, emphasising that this move not only benefits the neighbouring country but also strengthens regional energy security.
He highlighted that the interconnection of Sabah and Sarawak’s grids is a crucial step in realising the long-term goal of cross-border electricity trade.
“At Sabah Electricity, we have already completed the construction of our grid, ready for connection to Sarawak. We are now waiting for Sarawak to finalise its grid infrastructure to facilitate this linkage,” he said in a statement today.
Sabah and Sarawak had previously signed an electricity purchase agreement, initially supplying 30MW and later increasing to 50MW over five years.
However, there are plans to further expand the capacity to 100MW, contingent on the completion of the necessary transmission infrastructure.
Madius stressed that strengthening Sabah’s energy network through the Southern Link Project would enhance the stability of electricity supply and ensure a more resilient grid system.
“This project is a strategic initiative that will reinforce Sabah’s electricity stability while playing a key role in strengthening the regional energy network,” he added.
The Tuaran MP also underscored the strong partnership between Sabah and Sarawak in the energy sector, describing their relationship as that of “siblings” working together for mutual development.
He expressed confidence that accelerating infrastructure projects like the Southern Link would bring significant economic and strategic benefits to both regions.
“As neighbouring territories, we have always maintained close cooperation in various sectors, including energy. With this initiative, I am confident that our collaboration will continue to flourish and bring benefits to all parties,” he said.
Madius also expressed his appreciation to the Prime Minister for his leadership in fostering regional energy cooperation and to Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg for his commitment to advancing cross-border electricity trade.
With the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions in the region, the completion of the Southern Link Project could mark a significant milestone in positioning Sabah and Sarawak as key energy players in Southeast Asia.
Meanwhile, Abang Johari Tun Openg stated that electricity will be generated from a 500-megawatt (MW) combined cycle gas turbine power plant in Miri, along with three other plants with a combined capacity of 1,500MW in Bintulu.
“Our excess supply (of electricity) will be sent to Sabah, and the Prime Minister has asked us to send it from Sabah to the southern part of the Philippines, meaning we are supplying energy within Asean. This is our strength,” he said when speaking at the Affin Bank Chinese New Year dinner event here on Monday (Feb 17) night.
Abang Johari also mentioned that Sarawak is also in the process of producing more synthetic gas as a source of energy generation, positioning the region as a major energy producer in Asean.
“This means it is sustainable. If that is our strength, then it will contribute to the Asean energy grid,” he added. — DayakDaily
