KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) industry plans are moving in the right direction with plans afoot and potential investments being negotiated at the moment, said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor.
He said following the introduction of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Enactment 2024, the state has drawn up guidelines for the development of this industry while local companies have been appointed to conduct in-depth studies on its implementation.
“OTEC is a power source for the future and a long-term plan which is set to provide a clean, consistent and sustainable energy source,” he said during a question and answer session at the state Legislative Assembly sitting here on Monday (Nov 18).
“Its main focus is to produce high quality products such as green hydrogen, premium mineral water as a new source of industry and in line with our Blue Economy initiative which aims to harness maritime and coastal resources for the future,” said Hajiji, who is also Sulaman assemblyman.
He said research conducted by consultants showed that Sabah can produce up to 20,000 megawatts of electricity - 15,000 megawatts in the west coast and 5,000 megawatts from the east coast.
Regarding the progress of OTEC developments he said the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) had approved three local companies to start feasibility studies in the development of OTEC technology in Sabah.
These companies were given a year to conduct and finalise their studies on this matter, and the reports would be presented to the state for consideration, Hajiji added.
He said these companies were later issued with Conditional Letter of Award (CLOA) for the purpose of sustainable energy developments.
“Companies from Australia and the United Kingdom have expressed interest in OTEC development in Sabah and the ECoS is still studying their proposals,” he said.
Hajiji said the state has laid down four main components in the exploration of blue economy - harvest of marine resources, extraction of non-living resources and generation of new energy sources, sea trades as well as response towards sea health challenges, technology and research, blue carbon, protection and conservation of habitat and assimilation of nutrients and wastes.
“From these components, we see at least 14 potential industries that can be developed and explored in Sabah.
“The state government is confident that blue economy exploration will be a game changer for Sabah, pushing it to achieve economic prosperity and hopefully turn Sabah as a pioneer in sea and river based blue economic industries in the country,” he said.
