Clean Energy Options for Sabah: An Analysis of Resource Availability and Cost

Overview

"This report aims to present and analyze information on the potential of renewable energy in Sabah to provide an environmentally-friendly, cost-effective alternative to the proposed coal plant. Sabah’s energy needs and unique environmental biodiversity, valuable tourism opportunities, and natural beauty warrant such an analysis. The energy and environmental team in Professor Kammen’s Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory has over 20 years experience in conducting these types of studies in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

For each renewable option we examine—biomass waste, hydropower, solar, wind, geothermal, and demand-side energy efficiency—we compiled cost information from similar existing projects, published benchmark values, scientific data on weather patterns, and agricultural statistics. We used this data to generate cash-flow projections for hypothetical independent renewable power projects, allowing us to report the price that an independent power producer would need to receive in order to attain a benchmark rate of return on its investment."