ST approves SESB proposal, install energy storage through batteries with a capacity of 100MW

19 October 2023

By Nabalu News Journalist

KUALA LUMPUR: Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) is about to install an energy storage system through batteries with a capacity of 100MW as a short-term measure to overcome the problem of electricity supply rationing in Sabah.

Member of Parliament for Tuaran, Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau informed that the matter has already been approved by the Malaysian Energy Commission (ST).

"We at SESB hope that the Electricity Supply and Tariff Planning and Implementation Committee Meeting (JPPPET) will consider the decision of the ST positively for the common good and well-being.

"As an information, this battery storage store or Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) will store electricity that is not used during non-peak hours (off peak load) which is energy that is not used around 12.00 midnight to 7.00 am.

"This energy supply will be a backup to meet the high demand of users at peak times (peaking load) especially during the hot weather season or due to other related factors including in the event of a system breakdown," he said.

Madius said this when delivering the Budget 2024 debate speech at the Dewan Rakyat Parliamentary session here on Tuesday.

According to him, he and the representatives of the people from Sabah have been arguing in the Dewan Rakyat for a long time that Sabah is the only region in Malaysia that still suffers from electricity rationing.

"This situation occurs because of the low existing generation capacity, which is with a reserve margin below the 12% level. This reserve margin means a stock of electricity for use during an emergency, especially in the event of a system breakdown or in the event of a high demand above the norm among electricity users.

"In connection with that, Tuaran expressed his deepest appreciation to the Malaysian Energy Commission (ST) for the decision to approve the installation of 100MW capacity battery storage.

"However, this step is temporary and certainly cannot solve the problem of low reserve margins," he explained.