Kudat’s 2MW solar generator commences operation

KUDAT: The first phase of the 2 megawatt (MW) solar power generation project in Lausan near here, has been fully completed and starts operating yesterday.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili said the 2MW Solar Power Plant was part of 50MW being implemented in the area situated 190 kilometres from Kota Kinabalu.

“The balance of 48MW is targeted to achieve commercial operation date (COD) early next year,” he told reporters after launching the Lausan solar power plant yesterday.

The 2MW solar energy developed by Tadau Energy Sdn Bhd will be channeled to the Kudat Grid while the remaining 48MW will be injected into the transmission line for distribution throughout Sabah.

Ongkili said the district of Kudat located in northern Sabah was an ideal renewable energy centre as the area received the mostsunshine.

He said besides the development of solar energy, the ministry would develop wind energy in Kudat.

“Kudat also has high potential for wind energy development and can possibly generate over 300MW. But a detailed study on the project needs to be done before it can be implemented,” he said.

Ongkili said the ministry also proposed to make Kudat a research centre for renewable energy, namely solar and wind.

“I will raise this matter in the discussions with ASEAN ministers this month in Manila. We already had some discussion about it with the private sector.

“This is a very good development in renewable energy in Malaysia and it also shows the major role Sabah plays in the development of the sector in the country,” he said. - Bernama