Hajiji (middle) and Shahelmey (third left) in a group photo with the SOGDC delegation and its strategic and industry partners, EA Gibson, following the MoU exchange ceremony at Menara Kinabalu today.
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor received a courtesy call from a delegation of 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 Sipitang Oil & Gas Industrial Park (SOGIP), at his office in Menara Kinabalu here today.
The visit was held in conjunction with a proposed collaborative project between SOGDC and EA Gibson, marking a strategic step towards strengthening 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, as well as members of the board.
Also present were representatives of its international partners, including 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 involves the construction of an integrated energy storage and distribution hub spanning approximately 275 acres, featuring facilities for liquefied natural gas (LNG), ammonia and hydrogen storage, as well as petrochemical infrastructure and power generation.
As a key component of the project, a feasibility study will be undertaken in collaboration with ACWA Power for the development 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 preliminary interest in participating in the project as a strategic partner and principal LNG supplier for the energy hub.
Hajiji said the initiative aligns 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 has the potential not only to attract high-quality investments, but also to create more employment opportunities and stimulate downstream industrial growth in Sabah.
“We are committed to providing a conducive environment for investors, while ensuring that every development delivers direct benefits to the people and the state,” he said.
He added that the development of SOGIP as an integrated energy hub would further enhance Sabah’s competitiveness in the oil and gas industry.
The SOGDC initiative is expected to expand the state’s energy infrastructure capacity, attract high-value investments and support long-term industrial growth, particularly in the SOGIP area.
