KOTA KINABALU, MALAYSIA: Environmental groups here are urging the Sabah government to completely reject plans for coal-fired power generation plants.

Sabah Environmental Protection Association (Sepa) chairman Wong Tact said the state should insist on no coal-fired plants for the state as it had large amounts of gas reserves.

He said as Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) had disclosed that the state's east coast was in dire need of a new power generation plant to address the 30mW electricity supply shortfall, a natural gas facility should be the obvious choice.

"A coal-fired plant would require two years of construction whereas a gas turbine facility can be up and running in about a year," Wong said.

Noting that SESB was already using gas turbines for power generation in Sabah's west coast, Wong said: "We have the gas, the technology and the experience. Isn't that enough reason for us to have it in the east coast?"

He said the state government should resist any pressure to allow the proposed coal-fired plant in Lahad Datu to be relocated elsewhere.

"The people of Lahad Datu have said no and I'm sure those in Sandakan, Tawau, Kunak, Semporna or elsewhere will say no as well. The government must listen," Wong added.

On Wednesday, Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman said the state was maintaining its decision against a 330mW coal-fired plant in Silam, Lahad Datu.

He said the state wanted to ensure that the pristine nature of nearby conservation areas such as the Danum Valley, Maliau Basin and Darvel Bay were preserved.

However, Musa said if SESB wanted to relocate the proposed RM1.3bil plant to Sandakan or Tawau, the state would be willing to consider it.