KUCHING, Aug 12: The new Kanowit 132/33/11 kilovolt kV substation which will connect Kanowit to the main electricity grid through the existing Kemantan-Song/Kapit 132KV transmission lines is nearing completion.
The new substation will reinforce the distribution network in the area and improve reliability of supply.
Prior to the commissioning of the new substation, Sarawak Energy in a statement today said the transmission line connection works from the Kemantan-Song/Kapit lines of the electricity grid will require a scheduled shutdown of one line from Aug 14 to 21.
While electricity supply is expected to be unaffected during the duration of the connection works, communication services (Sacofa) for Kapit and Song will be disrupted for around eight hours on Aug 15. Communication services that will remain available are Telekom Malaysia’s fixed telephone lines and Unifi mobile Internet.
Currently, Kanowit and its surrounding areas are supplied via two circuits of 33KV overhead supply lines that will run for a distance of about 35 kilometre from Sibu Airport 33/11KV substation, making these long supply lines susceptible to interference and faults.
The Kanowit substation funded under the Projek Rakyat Sarawak is one of the key projects to increase the rural electrification coverage under the Rural Electrification Scheme and caters to the demand load for Kanowit District.
The new RM54 million substation will also serve as a new injection point that will significantly improve the supply network for Kanowit and the surrounding rural areas.
Sarawak Energy added all necessary preparations have been taken to ensure safe completion of works in the shortest time possible.
In the event of bad weather, works may be postponed for safety reasons.
Meanwhile, the technical team will be monitoring the performance of the supply lines especially to critical facilities like clinics and Covid-19 vaccine storage centres.
The team will be equipped with mobile gensets and will be on standby for fast recovery should a power interruption occur.
Sarawak Energy apologises for any inconvenience caused in its ongoing efforts to modernise Sarawak’s power system and provide reliable electricity supply for the people.
Members of the public can contact Sarawak Energy Customer Care Centre at 1300-88-3111, or utilise Sarawak Energy mobile app SEBcares to obtain the latest updates of the connection works and to report outages to assist in speedy restoration of electricity supply. — DayakDaily
