By Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Feb 9: Sarawak still has sufficient electricity for the Additional or Late Application Fund (Alaf) programme following a 1,000 megawatts (MW) deal with Singapore.
The programme is aimed at individuals who are still unconnected to the region’s power grid.
According to Minister of Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Julaihi Narawi, Sarawak’s total electricity generation capacity at the moment stands at 5,996MW, while local demand consumes as much as 4,398MW, which leaves 1,478MW in excess electricity.
“This means that Sarawakians do not have to worry, because we still have enough excess to implement the Alaf programme.
“If we look at it as a whole, the export is a small percentage only. From our calculations, it is only about two per cent,” he said during the Ministry of Utility and Communications Sarawak Assembly held at the Land Custody and Development Authority (LCDA) Tower, here today.
He added that the electricity tariff for export is charged higher as compared to what is being charged in Sarawak.
“This also allows additional income for our agency, namely Sarawak Energy Berhad, which is owned by Sarawak, and directly, Sarawak will have additional income in the long term,” he said.
Corporation between Singapore and Sarawak in the distribution of renewable energy and carbon trading were two matters brought up for discussion during Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s official visit to meet the Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsien Loong on Jan 30, where Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari was also part of the entourage. — DayakDaily
