PITAS: Residents of Kampung Pitas Laut in the Lower Kinabatangan–Segama Wetlands no longer need to depend on costly diesel generators after a community-based solar mini-grid began supplying round-the-clock electricity to the remote coastal village.
The 39.2 kilowatt-hour solar energy system, completed by the Indigenous Suluk fishing community, now provides 24-hour power to homes and shared facilities for the first time, benefiting about 150 residents from some 20 households.
Kampung Pitas Laut, which is accessible only by boat and heavily influenced by tidal conditions, previously relied on shared diesel generators that operated only a few hours each night, with fuel transported by river at high and unreliable cost.
“I used to spend more than RM700 a month just to buy diesel for our generator.
“Now we have electricity all day and night, and we don’t have to worry about fuel anymore,” villager Muhar said.
The project was implemented under the Sabah Renewable Energy Rural Electrification (SabahRE2) Roadmap, which promotes renewable energy solutions for off-grid and rural communities across the state.
Installation of the solar system was carried out by Indigenous-led organisation Tonibung in collaboration with Green Empowerment and Forever Sabah, with the system owned and managed by the community through locally handled tariff collection for operations, maintenance and future upgrades.
According to the project partners, the solar system was designed with surplus capacity to enable small-scale economic activities such as ice production, fish cold storage and food processing, which were previously not possible due to limited power supply.
In addition to electrification, the project included the construction of a 200-metre steel pedestrian bridge to improve access to turtle nesting areas along the coast, supporting a women-led conservation group.
A representative of the women’s group Fauziah Pullah said before this, access to the nesting sites was difficult and sometimes dangerous, especially at night.
“Now we can monitor the turtles more safely, and women are leading this conservation work,” she said.
The Lower Kinabatangan–Segama Wetlands is a designated Ramsar Site and one of Sabah’s most important mangrove and marine ecosystems, with the community now exploring eco-tourism opportunities linked to conservation and guided nature activities.
Funding for the project was provided by international non-profit Seacology and global not-for-profit ecolabel EKOenergy, which channels climate funds into renewable energy projects for rural communities.
For Tonibung, the Pitas Laut project reflects its broader approach to rural electrification in Sabah and Sarawak, focusing on community ownership, capacity building and long-term sustainability.
The project began with fabrication of the solar powerhouse in June 2026, followed by installation of solar panels in September 2026, and was fully commissioned and handed over to the community in November 2026, with tariff collection starting in December.
Today, Kampung Pitas Laut stands as an example of how community-led renewable energy can reduce household costs, support conservation and create new livelihood opportunities in even the most remote parts of Sabah.
