The federal government has allocated about RN2.25 billion this year to upgrade and improve power supply services in Sabah in the next five years, said Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Dr Maximus Ongkili.
    
Of the amount, among others, RM1.4 billion would be spent on power transmission improvement, distribution (RM525 million), rectifying weaknesses that caused a major blackout on Jan 17 in Sabah (RM303.27 million) and preliminary studies on hydro electric in Sabah (RM33.4 million).
    
With the allocation, Dr Ongkili ( right in photo ) hoped the energy reserve margin in Sabah could be increased up to 25 per cent, as compared to between eight and 10 percent currently, in the next 10 years.
    
"The federal government is committed to assist the state govenment to improve the level of power services and at the same time, ensure sufficient power (in Sabah)," he said.
    
He was speaking to reporters after officially opening a half-day seminar on Ocean Renewable Energy organised by Green Power Solutions Sdn Bhd in Kota kinabalu yesterday.
    
At the ceremony, Dr Ongkili also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Green Power Solutions and Current 2 Current International, LLC.
    
The Green Power Solutions Sdn Bhd was represented by its chairperson, Ramzi Raad. while Current 2 Current International, LLC was represented by its chairperson and chief executive officer Dr Manfred Kuehnle.
 
- Bernama