Sarawak’s rural communities will have reliable and affordable 24-hour electricity supply by 2025, premier vows
KUCHING, May 11 — Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg today said all the rural communities in the state will have stable, reliable and affordable 24-hour electricity supply towards achieving full electrification by 2025.
He said this is made possible through the implementation of an accelerated rural electrification master plan initiated by the state government and the state Ministry of Utility and Telecommunications.
“We believe that everybody deserves to thrive and succeed, regardless of their location,” he said at the handing over of the Long San solar hybrid station by Shanghai Electric Power Transmission & Distribution Group to Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB).
He said the Long San solar hybrid station is another example of the state government’s efforts in fulfilling the aspiration regardless of how difficult the challenges it faces.
The premier said while the domestic households of Long San were previously supplied by a diesel power station, the solar hybrid station will allow the state government to better accommodate the growing needs and increase the use of more sustainable renewable energy while reducing dependency on diesel fossil fuel.
“Essential services such as healthcare and education facilities will now be able to run more smoothly,” he said, adding that the solar hybrid station will help bring about an elevated standard of living for the Long San community, providing people in the area with new economic opportunities as well as greater access to and engagement with the outside world.
According to SEB chairman Datuk Amar Hamed Sepawi, who spoke earlier, the Long San solar hybrid station is the first solar hybrid station in Sarawak to utilise an advanced lithium-ion battery and energy management system to optimise renewable energy generation and to reduce dependence on costly diesel fuel.
He said the domestic households at Long San in the deep interior of Baram were previously supplied by an off-grid diesel power station with an installed capacity of 345kW.
“The new solar hybrid station now provides renewable energy to 104 households and 16 other properties including a church, a clinic, mission houses and a school.
“This gives the Long San community a more sustainable source of energy, supporting the operation of basic services while promoting equitable socioeconomic growth,” he said.
Vice president of Shanghai Electric Power Transmission & Distribution Group Yang Xing Hai officially handed over the Long San solar station to SEB group chief executive officer Datuk Sharbini Suhaili.
The Long San solar station was donated by Shanghai Electric, covering its supply, delivery, installation, testing, and commissioning of 350kWp of solar PV panels, seven racks of batteries, and associated electronic converters and control systems.
