Elopura assemblyman Calvin Chong said the widespread power cuts were caused by the east coast’s power supply network being overwhelmed by high electricity demand.
“The supply in Kimanis (power plant) is not enough for the east coast, which caused a total blackout today,” Chong told FMT.
Chong urged the government to focus on low-cost options such as hydropower plants by utilising the river and water resources on the east coast, such as those in the Deramakot forest reserve.
He added that the government should not purchase coal from neighbouring Indonesia to build coal power plants.
Chong, a member of state opposition party Warisan, also claimed that the state government has not shown serious commitment to developing the state’s power supply infrastructure, which he said was affecting the state’s industries.
“Who is taking responsibility for all the losses? No one is standing up and voicing out something,” he added.
Sabah’s seven districts (Sandakan, Kinabatangan, Beluran, Kunak, Semporna, Lahad Datu and Tawau) experienced widespread power cuts at 12.14pm yesterday. Supply was fully restored by 5.48pm.
Sabah Electricity chief executive Yaakob Jaafar said the blackout was caused by “a transient fault” which caused a connection line in Ranau to be tripped.
Clear the air on subsidies
Another Warisan assemblyman, Sri Tanjong representative Justin Wong, has called on the state government to respond to the federal government’s announcement that electricity subsidies for the state would be discontinued next year.
Urging chief minister Hajiji Noor to “clear the air about this,” Wong said he hoped the power cut yesterday is not an indicator of worse things to come next year”.
Last Monday, Sabah Electricity chairman Wilfred Madius Tangau said the state could face a statewide blackout beginning in January if the federal government does not provide urgent financial support.
Tangau said the Energy Commission of Sabah had informed him that the additional RM866 million electricity subsidy given last year would not be considered this year due to fiscal constraints.
Since 2014, Sabah’s electricity tariff has been fixed at a subsidised rate of 34.52 sen per kWh, while the cost of power generation and procurement has increased.
Sabah Electricity generates only 20% of the state’s power, relying on independent power producers for the remaining 80% at a higher cost, creating a financial gap covered by federal subsidies.