Landslide collapses transmission tower, cutting power to 230 000 people in Sabah, Malaysia
Nearly 230 000 consumers in Malaysia’s Sabah state lost power after a landslide collapsed a major transmission tower in Penampang district at 17:05 LT (09:05 UTC) on September 13, 2025. One fatality was confirmed. Authorities expect emergency towers to be completed within eight days, with a permanent replacement planned in three months.
Restoration works after landslide leaves 230 000 people without power in Malaysia on September 13, 2025. Credit: Sabah Electricity
Torrential rainfall triggered a series of landslides in Sabah, Malaysia, on September 13, collapsing a high-voltage transmission tower in Penampang district and causing widespread power outages.
The collapse occurred at around 17:05 LT (09:05 UTC), affecting Tower 5 of the 275 kV Kolopis–Segaliud Line, toppling the structure and tripping both circuits
The resulting blackout left approximately 230 000 consumers across six districts without electricity, including Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Kunak, Semporna, and Beluran, more than 300 km (186 miles) away.
Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) reported that one fatality occurred due to landslides linked to the same weather system. Partial power supply was restored on September 14 through local generating stations in Sandakan and Tawau, but tens of thousands of consumers remained without electricity as of September 15.
To stabilise supply, SESB began constructing a bypass from Kimanis to Segaliud and installing two Emergency Restoration System (ERS) towers at the collapse site. The ERS works are expected to take about eight days. Until then, around 70 000 consumers will face rotational outages during peak demand.
A permanent replacement tower will be built at an estimated cost of MYR 3 million, with completion expected in about three months.
Sandakan’s power supply was fully restored by 15:11 LT (07:11 UTC) on September 14, but water supply disruptions persisted as treatment plant pumps had not yet resumed operation.
Other districts on the east coast, including Lahad Datu and Tawau, continued to experience intermittent electricity and water shortages on September 15.
Sabah Chief Minister Hajiji Noor confirmed that state authorities and SESB are coordinating emergency works, while longer-term measures are under review to strengthen monitoring of transmission infrastructure exposed to landslide risk.
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