Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS)
The Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) is a Sabah State Government statutory body and the State’s energy regulator. Established on 10 January 2023, it regulates onshore gas supply and, since 3 January 2024, electricity supply and renewable energy in Sabah. With the passing of the OTEC Enactment 2024 and the ECoS Enactment (Amendment No. 2) 2024, ECoS also regulates Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) development in the state. ECoS main responsibilities include regulation, licensing, safety, compliance, and initiatives that support secure, accessible, affordable and sustainable energy for Sabah. ECoS regulates Sabah’s gas, electricity and renewable energy sectors, OTEC development, while supporting the State’s long-term sustainable energy direction.
- SE-RAMP 2040: The State’s long-term energy direction.
- SEEAP: The 10 year action plan for energy efficiency in the State.
Under SE-RAMP 2040 and ECoS’s planning oversight to achieve 50% capacity mix of renewable energy by 2030, Large Scale Solar capacity is being upscaled. In addition, ECoS has rolled out solar programmes where individual consumers can contribute to reducing carbon emissions while reducing their electricity costs:
- Solar Rakyat Sabah: A programme for eligible households to generate rooftop solar power.
- SELCO-PV SABAH 2.0: Solar generation for consumption on the premises, without export to the grid.
1. Sabah Energy Roadmap and Master Plan 2040 (SE-RAMP 2040)
SE-RAMP 2040 sets the overall direction for Sabah’s energy sector through 2040. It addresses three connected priorities: reliable energy supply; access to energy at an affordable cost; and environmental sustainability.
The roadmap contains 16 strategies, including improving electricity supply, expanding rural electrification, diversifying generation, increasing renewable energy and improving energy efficiency. The 100% rural electrification ambition is a target contained within SE-RAMP 2040, and efforts towards achieving it will continue on an ongoing basis.
Why it matters: The roadmap links immediate supply needs with longer-term investment and a sustainable, more resilient energy system.
2. Sabah Energy Efficiency Action Plan (SEEAP)
SEEAP translates the energy efficiency direction in SE-RAMP 2040 into actions for homes, commercial buildings and industry over 2026-2036. It combines practical steps, such as efficient appliances and lighting, better cooling and building operations, and industrial equipment improvements, with stronger data, regulation and local professional capacity.
The plan estimates around 8.5% energy savings by 2036 compared with a business-as-usual scenario across its focus sectors.
For households, examples include 5-star electrical appliances, and LED lighting. For commercial buildings, opportunities include better cooling settings, lighting and building systems. Industry can improve motors, boilers, compressed air and process heat use.
Why it matters: Using energy more efficiently can help consumers and businesses manage costs while reducing pressure on the electricity system as demand grows.
3. Solar Rakyat Sabah
Solar Rakyat Sabah enables eligible domestic consumers to generate electricity from rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and receive bill credits for eligible excess electricity exported to the grid. The permitted maximum is 5 kWac for single-phase and 10 kWac for three-phase supply.
The programme has a 20 MW quota, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis until 30 June 2028 or until fully subscribed, whichever comes first. Consumers apply through ECOS’s EEISY platform using an ECoS-registered grid-connected PV electrical contractor. ECoS issues approval to install and, after testing and commissioning, approval to operate. Participants sign a 12-year agreement with Sabah Electricity.
Unused export credits may be carried forward for up to 12 months within the settlement period; they cannot be exchanged for cash. Installation and related costs are generally borne by the consumer. Actual bill savings depend on system size, usage, generation and applicable rates.
The programme also offers incentives to eligible consumers, including installation rebates of up to RM4,000 through the Akaun Amanah Industry Bekalan Elektrik Sabah (AAIBES) fund, a zero-upfront-payment financing option via SaRPVI, and exemption from generation licensing for low-voltage solar systems.
Why it matters: “Solar Rakyat Sabah gives eligible households a route to generate rooftop solar electricity and offset their bills with credits for surplus energy.”
4. Reliability of electricity supply
A reliable supply means fewer and shorter interruptions and enough capacity to meet demand. Under SE-RAMP 2040, Sabah is working to strengthen generation adequacy, diversify energy sources, improve the grid and monitor service performance. Recent performance data indicates progress, with SAIDI improving from 598 minutes in 2023 to 226 minutes as at July 2026, while the reserve margin increased from 8% in 2024 to 19% as at August 2026, forecasted at 26% by the end of 2026.
5. Rural electrification
Ensuring dependable electricity to communities still without adequate electricity is a central SE-RAMP 2040 goal, Solutions may involve grid extension or suitable off-grid systems, including renewable energy, depending on location and technical needs. Government agencies, Industry players and ECoS have complementary roles in planning and implementation. The roadmap sets a target of 100% rural electrification by 2030 and the action plan towards this will be monitored and accelerated by the Jawatankuasa Elektrifikasi Luarbandar Sabah (JELaS) at state level. Under JELAS, the state government will continue to closely work with KKDW (federal level), while adopting additional approaches with NGOs, GLCs, investors, Renewable Energy Facilities to implement and fund rural electrification for remote off grid villages.
6. Energy transition
Sabah’s energy transition combines reliable supply with a progressively cleaner energy mix and more efficient energy use. SE-RAMP 2040 provides the policy direction where SEEAP addresses demand through efficiency and solar programmes allow consumers to generate renewable electricity As renewable capacity expands, continued attention to grid readiness, affordability and safety will be important to ensure that the transition is practical and sustainable.
7. Electricity theft and meter tampering (KUPM)
Electricity theft, whether through meter tampering (Kes Usikan Pepasangan Meter, KUPM) by registered consumers or through illegal connections, particularly in squatter colonies, continues to be a key focus of ECoS’s enforcement activities. Electricity theft not only causes financial losses, but also affects the quality and reliability of supply to surrounding areas and exposes the public to safety risks such as electric shock or fire.
ECOS has stepped up enforcement activities against KUPM and illegal connections, in collaboration with Sabah Electricity and other enforcement agencies. This is reflected in an increase in the number of cases investigated and in prosecution and compounding actions. Several cases involving syndicates or masterminds behind illegal connections in squatter settlements have also resulted in prison sentences. Through cooperation with the Immigration Department, non-citizen offenders have also been deported to their countries of origin.
8. Solar Rakyat Sabah, SEEAP and SELCO-PV SABAH 2.0
These are different ways for consumers to take part in Sabah’s energy transition. Solar Rakyat Sabah is for eligible domestic rooftop PV users and allows eligible surplus energy to be exported for bill credits. SEEAP is the 2026-2036 action plan to reduce energy waste across homes, commerce and industry.
SELCO-PV SABAH 2.0 allows eligible domestic and non-domestic consumers to generate solar power for use on their own premises; excess electricity is not exported to the grid. Grid- connected domestic SELCO systems are capped at 5 kWac (single-phase) or 10 kWac (three- phase). For non-domestic consumers, the cap is 85% of existing maximum demand, subject to the guideline’s assessment rules. The choice of programme depends on the consumer’s needs and eligibility.
