KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor received a courtesy visit from a delegation of the Sabah Oil & Gas Development Corporation Sdn. Bhd.
(SOGDC) and its strategic partners and witnessed the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the proposed development of an energy hub at the Sipitang Oil & Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP), at his office in Menara Kinabalu on Monday.
The visit was held in conjunction with a proposed collaborative project between SOGDC and EA Gibson as a strategic step to strengthen Sabah’s position as a regional energy hub.
The SOGDC delegation was led by its Chairman, Datuk Ir. Shahelmey Yahya, together with Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Mohd Azmir Ramli, and board members.
Also present were representatives of its international partners, Aboitiz Chief Operating Officer Anton Perdises; ACWA Country Chief Executive Officer Matthew Chandapillai;EA Gibson Director Owen Bolton, WEC Executive Director Mathew Lee; Green Parrot (Abu Dhabi) Executive Director Miran Sepich, and EA Gibson Gas Department Project Director Tonci Tokic.
At the meeting, Hajiji and Shahelmey witnessed the exchange of several strategic and commercial MoUs between SOGDC and industry partners, including ACWA Power, Aboitiz Power Ltd and WEC, outlining initial collaboration for the development of the Energy Hub project at SOGIP.
According to SOGDC, the proposed development includes the construction of an integrated energy storage and distribution hub covering approximately 275 acres, featuring facilities for liquefied natural gas (LNG), ammonia and hydrogen storage, as well as petrochemical infrastructure and power generation development.
As a key component of the project, a feasibility study will be conducted in collaboration with ACWA Power for the construction of a combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant with a capacity of between 400 and 500 megawatts (MW).
In addition, Aboitiz Power Ltd is exploring the development of a power transmission grid system, while WEC is considering the construction of a jetty and storage tanks.
Meanwhile, Saudi Aramco has also expressed initial interest in participating in the project as a strategic partner and main LNG supplier for the energy hub.
Hajiji said the initiative is in line with the State Government’s aspiration to strengthen the energy sector as a key driver of Sabah’s economy.
“The State Government welcomes the proposed development of this energy hub as it not only has the potential to attract high-quality investments, but also creates more job opportunities and stimulates downstream industrial growth in Sabah.
“We are committed to providing a conducive environment for investors, while ensuring that every development brings direct benefits to the people and the state,” he said.
He added that the development of SOGIP as an integrated energy hub will further enhance Sabah’s competitiveness in the oil and gas industry.
The SOGDC initiative is expected to increase the state’s energy infrastructure capacity, attract high-value investments and support long-term industrial growth, particularly in the SOGIP area.-pr/BNN
