SABAH EXPLORING OCEAN THERMAL ENERGY CONVERSION, CONDUCTING IMPLEMENTATION STUDY -- HAJIJI

KOTA KINABALU, Dec 17 (Bernama) -- The Sabah government, through the Sabah Energy Commission (ECoS), has begun exploring renewable energy in the form of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) and is currently conducting an implementation study along the state’s east coast, according to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.

The Chief Minister said the study is being carried out by three local development firms and is expected to be completed in 2027.

“In terms of funding, the OTEC technology development will be carried out through full investment by the developers themselves.

“Through this approach, the Sabah government will not allocate any public funds to promote private sector-driven Blue Economy initiatives,” he said while winding up the debate on the Sabah Supply Bill 2026 at the State Legislative Assembly today.

Hajiji said the Sabah government is continually working to update and establish a robust legal and institutional framework to strengthen the state’s Blue Economy, particularly for OTEC.

He highlighted that this is reflected in the passage of the OTEC Enactment 2024 and amendments to the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) Enactment in April 2024.

The Chief Minister elaborated that 15 blue economy industry sectors have been identified, including marine biotechnology, seafood, coastal protection, waste disposal, carbon offsetting, and maritime monitoring and surveillance.

Hajiji added that the state government has signed an agreement worth RM360 million with a private company to build a tuna landing port in Kota Kinabalu.

“For this project, the Sabah government is not contributing any funds but will receive a 30 per cent stake in the tuna landing port,” he said.

Hajiji added that the state government is exploring the potential of the blue economy in the country’s waters, as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Under the UNCLOS, Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone — specifically Sabah’s — extends up to 370 kilometres, with an estimated area of 334,671 square kilometres.

-- BERNAMA