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KOTA KINABALU: The Energy Commission of Sabah (Ecos) has inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Huawei Technologies (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (Huawei Malaysia) to improve the local energy and renewable energy sectors.

In a statement here on Thursday (Oct 24), Ecos said the collaboration outlined plans to encourage local talent in microgrid technology, establish a “Grid Forming” Innovation Centre (JIC) and explore the potential of microgrid projects for rural electrification.

Ecos chief executive officer Datuk Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid said the collaboration with Huawei Malaysia is a milestone in the journey towards renewable energy solutions for Sabah.

He said the collaboration would also equip Sabah youth with technological skills and enhance community development in the state.

Huawei Malaysia vice president of Digital Power Business Group, Chong Chern Peng said the MOU represented the beginning of Sabah’s journey towards a cleaner and more resilient energy future.

The MOU was formalised at the 42nd Conference of the Asean Federation of Engineering Organisations (CAFEO 42) at the Sabah International Convention Centre here on Wednesday (Oct 23).

The signing ceremony was witnessed by state Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Arifin Arif and Ecos commission members Datuk Nor Asiah Mohd Yusof and Datuk Dr Lawrence Thien Shin Hing.

Under the MOU, Huawei Malaysia would provide technical training and conduct workshops, while Ecos would identify young Sabahans for specialised training in energy management and microgrid technology applications.

Additionally, Huawei Malaysia plans to test advanced grid-forming technology to mitigate the intermittency issues of variable renewable energy, such as solar and wind, including supplying equipment to support its implementation.

At the same time, Ecos, which is the state’s regulator for the energy sector, will craft the necessary regulatory guidelines and standards