2,268 Renewable Energy Projects in Sabah, Malaysia

A total of 2,268 renewable energy projects under the feed-in-tariff (FiT) have been commissioned in Sabah and Peninsular Malaysia until March 31, said Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili.

He said the projects had generated 188.3 megawatt (MW) to the national grid or one per cent of the overall power generation capacity.

It also contributes 108.57MW from solar energy, biomass (52.3MW), mini hydro (15.7MW) and biogas (11.73MW), he said, adding that renewable energy accounted for three per cent or 36.5MW of power generation capacity in Sabah.

Renewable energy could complement existing fuel mix while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, he said when launching opening an electricity production project from renewal energy sources at Umas Palm Oil Mill near here today.

Ongkili said starting May 2, Sabah’s industry players could take part in the FiT mechanism at a 65MW quota for all categories including 15MW dedicated to biomass and 10MW to biogas.

“It is an opportunity for palm oil mills to generate clean energy while getting attractive returns,” he said.

In an effort to develop energy comprehensively, Ongkili said the government introduced the Renewable Energy Policy and Action Plan in 2010 which targeted renewable energy production capacity of 5.5 per cent by 2015 and 11 per cent in 2020.

Meanwhile, he said the Umas Palm Oil Mill’s electricity production from renewable sources would be a benchmark for the industry as renewable energy was generated from manufacturing waste.