By Adrian Lim
MIRI, Oct 31: There are five longhouses in the Telang Usan constituency which will be supplied with electricity under the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (Sares) next year.
The information was revealed by Utilities Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom during the launching of Sares project at Long Pilah, Ulu Baram here today.
He said the five longhouses in Telang Usan has a total of 95 households.
“They are Long Seniai with 30 households, Long Melangit with 12 households, Long Kaho with 20 households, Long Sengayan with 20 households and Long Pelanduk with 13 households.
“All the five longhouses will enjoy electricity supply through Sares after the implementation.
“Under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), the ministry will concentrate on the construction of grid delivery with the substation at strategic location for Rural Electrification Scheme (RES) grid connection.
“With the supply of electricity as well as road access, the ministry will implement the Sares community connection to the main power grid in stages,” he said in his speech during the launching.
Dr Rundi noted that Sares is an initiative by the Sarawak government through Utilities Ministry and implemented by Sarawak Energy Bhd.
He revealed that the Telang Usan constituency has seen 71 per cent electricity coverage involving 51 longhouses with 2,504 households under Sares.
Dr Rundi added that Sarawak has currently achieved 93 per cent electricity coverage for the people in rural areas.
He said seven per cent of the people in the rural areas or 22,360 households have yet to enjoy 24 hours electricity.
Dr Rundi said under the Sarawak Accelerated Rural Electrification Masterplan, a total of RM600 million was allocated for 2019 and 2020 to lighten up 400 villages involving 12,000 households in Sarawak.
Since Sares has been implemented in 2016, he said 7,988 households in 277 villages and longhouses in remote areas have access to 24-hour electricity. —DayakDaily
