Sabah has set its sights on becoming Malaysia’s green energy powerhouse, with a bold target of supplying up to 75% of the nation’s renewable energy under its Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040 (SE-RAMP 2040).

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, in a speech delivered by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, said the state’s energy ambitions are central to its future economic development and sustainability goals.

“With this in place, Sabah should be able to fully develop its green energy sector with the potential of providing up to 75% of the nation’s green energy supply,” Hajiji said at the Sabah Renewable Energy Conference 2025 (SAREC 2025) at the Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort on Wednesday.

He noted that Sabah is richly endowed with renewable resources, including hydro, solar, biomass, and ocean thermal energy, all of which could drive the transformation of the energy sector while supporting the country’s low-carbon transition.

“The energy sector has been a critical engine of growth for Sabah’s economy over the past decades.

“It is my aspiration to see it continue to grow while delivering positive social outcomes that improve the quality of life for our people,” he said. 

The SE-RAMP 2040 sets strategic milestones for Sabah, including achieving 100% rural electrification by 2030 and positioning the state as a clean energy hub in Southeast Asia.

Hajiji said the State Government is committed to building the necessary infrastructure and asserting greater control over its energy resources to enable more efficient, locally driven development.

As part of a broader diversification agenda, the Chief Minister also highlighted the development of Sabah’s Blue Economy, including the approval of the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Enactment 2024, which adds marine-based renewable energy to the state’s portfolio. – April 24, 2025