Jentayu strengthens committment to green energy investment in Sabah

9 April 2025

KOTA KINABALU: Jentayu Sustainables Berhad is strengthening its commitment to Sabah’s renewable energy future with a potential major new investment in Sipitang, Executive Chairman Datuk Beroz Nikmal Mirdin shared.

He stated that Jentayu, through its subsidiary Oriole Power Sdn Bhd, is committed to advancing its 162-megawatt run-of-river hydro project in Sipitang, known as Project Oriole.

“We are looking at the potential to generate up to 110 per cent of capacity for this project,” he remarked.

While the timeline for financial closure and the execution of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is still being finalised, Beroz indicated that commissioning is targeted for mid-2029 at the latest.

“This is green power — and over time, it will prove to be highly cost-effective for Sabah,” he added, noting that the project is a joint venture with Yayasan Sabah, with Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) also participating as a partner.

He made these comments during Jentayu’s Hari Raya Aidilfitri open house on Wednesday, which was attended by the Head of State, Tun Musa Aman. Also present was Saridah Mohd Dun, CEO of Oriole Power.

Beroz also highlighted the success of his flagship hydro projects, Telekosang 1 and 2, which have been operational for nearly two years, supplying what he described as "one of the most affordable generation rates in Sabah" — 24 sen per kilowatt-hour — to the power grid.

“Alhamdulillah, they’ve been running smoothly,” said Beroz.

Together, the Telekosang plants have a generating capacity of 40 megawatts — 24 megawatts from Telekosang 1 and 16 from Telekosang 2. “During the rainy season, output can reach up to 44 megawatts,” he added.

It is important to note that Telekosang 1 and 2 are not operated by Jentayu but are managed personally by Beroz.

"This is Domestic Direct Investment (DDI) — by Sabahans, for Sabah," he emphasised.

“We are Sabah-born. We believe in building a better future here. We hope our projects will help stabilise the grid and support Sabah’s ambitions to attract more industries.”

Beroz also addressed the perception that Jentayu is a company based in Peninsular Malaysia. “Our headquarters is right here in Kota Kinabalu. We maintain only a modest presence in Kuala Lumpur. That’s why we chose to celebrate Hari Raya here — our stakeholders, our heart, are in Sabah.”

With its expanding renewable energy portfolio and steadfast local-first approach, Jentayu is emerging as a key player in Sabah’s energy transition — one that Beroz hopes will inspire confidence and pride among local investors and youth alike.