Kota Kinabalu: The people of Sabah will get to enjoy Phase 1 of the Pan Borneo Highway Sabah project, spanning over 706km, when fully completed by 2029.
Musa said infrastructure and utility development are key enablers in supporting the State’s economic growth.
To this end, he said Phase 1 of the Pan Borneo Highway Sabah project will be expedited and is expected to be fully completed in four years’ time.
Apart from this, he said management and delivery of water supply services will be strengthened to ensure that the people of Sabah continue to enjoy consistent access to treated water.
“The Government is optimistic about meeting the State’s water supply demands for the next 30 to 50 years.
“Three key strategies have been put in place: increasing treated water production, implementing water supply projects and expanding rural water supply coverage, so as to achieve the demand.
“The Government will also develop the Ulu Padas Water Supply Scheme (SBAUP), which will be integrated with the Upper Padas Hydroelectric Project (UPHEP) in Tenom to meet long-term water supply needs. This project is expected to serve as a sustainable water source for the West Coast of Sabah,” he said.
On sewage management, he said, the Government will upgrade existing infrastructure and extend services to currently uncovered areas.
In addition, public education programmes to promote proper sewerage system maintenance will be intensified.
To increase electricity supply capacity in Sabah, Musa said various interim and fast-track mitigation measures are being implemented.
“These include the upgrading of the Main Intake Substation (PMU) at Jalan Dam in Lahad Datu and the installation of a Capacitor Bank in Tawau, both of which are expected to be completed this year.
“As a result of these efforts, Sabah’s generation reserve margin — which previously fell below 10 per cent — is projected to rise to 29 per cent by the end of the year,” he said.
Musa said the State Government is also focusing on renewable energy projects, targeting a 50 per cent renewable energy mix in Sabah’s power grid by 2035.
“Two hydroelectric projects along the Padas River are slated for full completion by 2030. Additionally, under the Sabah Hydro Development Masterplan, other hydroelectric projects have been identified for implementation up to the year 2040,” he said.
To achieve the Energy Transition Agenda and the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050, Musa said the State Government is committed to implementing hydroelectric, solar and other renewable energy projects, including geothermal, wind, bioenergy and Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC).
He said these initiatives are aligned with Sabah’s ongoing Blue Economy strategy.
“Efficient energy use is also a key focus, with the Sabah Energy Efficiency Action Plan (SEEAP) scheduled to be launched by the end of this year,” he said.
