Sabah’s new 100MW/400MWh battery facility, the largest in Southeast Asia, aims to stabilise the grid and boost renewable energy integration.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah has officially launched the Lahad Datu Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), the largest facility of its kind in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor said the project is designed to enhance grid stability, reduce diesel reliance, and support renewable energy integration.
“This initiative is part of the state government’s commitment to ensuring a stable, sufficient, and affordable electricity supply for the people,” he said in a speech delivered by Deputy Chief Minister I Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam.
The launch was officiated by Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah, Tun Musa Aman, at the Sabah International Convention Centre.
The BESS Lahad Datu facility has a power capacity of 100 megawatts and an energy storage capacity of 400 megawatt-hours.
Hajiji noted the project is a key component of the Sabah Energy Roadmap and Masterplan 2040, which focuses on energy security, affordability, and sustainability.
He said the state’s regained regulatory authority over electricity has allowed it to expedite energy projects under the Energy Commission of Sabah.
To bolster generation, the state government has approved nearly 1,000 MW of new capacity from hydro, solar, and wind sources.
ECoS has also launched Large-Scale Solar bids, resulting in 15 approved projects totalling 285 MW across the state’s coasts.
“With both existing and upcoming projects, the LSS capacity in Sabah is expected to exceed 350 MW by 2027,” Hajiji added.
This would represent 23% of the state’s total electricity generation capacity.
