KAPIT, Oct 6: More than 1,600 residents from 170 households in nine longhouses in the Sungai Gaat area finally have access to 24-hour electricity from renewable sources.
They are Rh Tungku Ng Sebiro, Rh Nading Sg Gaat, Rh Sagen Sg Gaat, Rh Tajai Sg Gaat, Rh Sait Sg Gaat, Rh Jaweng Sg Pu, Rh Drum Ga, Rh Khancin Sg Gaat and Rh Jegai Sg Gaat.
“This is one of the government’s efforts to ensure that all Sarawakians, no matter where you are, have 24-hour electricity supply via solar-powered systems. With the completion of the RM 9.17 million project under the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (Sared), I hope the locals will be able to enjoy and utilise the electricity to help improve socio-economic well-being and overall standard of living,” Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar James Jemut Masing said at the handing over ceremony yesterday.
Electricity coverage in Sarawak has been accelerated since Sares was introduced in 2016.
According to a Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sarawak Energy) press statement, more than 1,700 households from 87 villages in Kapit now have access to 24-hour renewable energy under the innovative government-community initiative.
Sared is one of several initiatives under the Accelerated Rural Electrification Masterplan, driven and funded by the Sarawak government through the Ministry of Utilities Sarawak.
Implemented by SEB, Sared is expected to provide households in these very remote villages with either solar or micro-hydro solutions in the next two to five years.
Also present were Assistant Minister for Utilities (Rural Electricity) Datuk Liwan Lagang, Member of Parliament for Hulu Rajang Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong and Sarawak Energy manager for Sares Christopher Wesley Ajan.
Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer, Datu Sharbini Suhaili said the implementation of Sares involves the community from the planning to the completion of the project and they will be trained to perform regular maintenance on the systems.
“Our Sares team is on hand for technical support and will be deployed should any major works need to be undertaken, to ensure the reliability of the systems. When road connectivity in Sarawak improves, these remote villages will be connected to our main grid. In the meantime, Sares serves as a reliable system that meets the basic needs of these rural households,” he said. — DayakDaily
