LAHAD DATU: The POIC Lahad Datu container terminal here on Monday handled the landing of what could be termed ‘a strategic cargo’ that could be game-changing to power supply reliability in Sabah.
The cargo, comprising of utility-scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for Sabah Electricity, arrived to a rapturous welcome by the local community. The total inventory of about 188 batteries has a capacity of 100 megawatts and 400 megawatt-hours will strengthen Sabah’s power grid and stabilise supply to consumers.
These batteries are, each of them 40 feet behemoths weighing 30 tons. In addition, there are other accompanying units (MVS, PCS and EMS) in 20- footers of 20 tons each. Their total storage capacity of 100MW is about 10% of Sabah’s estimated electricity needs.
The unusual cargo required a reconnaissance visit by specialists to certify the fitness of its port of landing.
In the next two months, all the batteries, which are supplied by MSR Green Energy Sdn. Bhd. (EPCC Contractor for Sabah Electricity’s BESS project) and manufactured by Sungrow Power Supply Co. Ltd., a leading renewable energy solutions provider established in China, are due to arrive through POIC and to be installed at Sabah Electricity’s site in PMU Dam Road where the state’s first BESS is expected to become operational by June 30, 2025.
Apart from being a necessity of living, dependable electricity is of critical importance as Sabah, through state-owned entities such as POIC Lahad Datu Sdn Bhd, the developer of POIC Lahad Datu industrial park where the container port is located, are attempting to attract investors to quicken economic growth via industrialisation.
Sabah Electricity Game Changing Electricity Storage Batteries Has Landed at POIC
