KUCHING, Dec 9: Power supply to 11 villages in Bario was restored at around 3pm today. Power to the remaining affected village — Pa Derung — is expected to be restored by 2pm tomorrow.
This follows intensive efforts by Sarawak Energy, including the deployment of extra manpower from Miri and Sibu, with one team flown in by chartered helicopter.
The power interruption occurred on Friday, and it hit Kampung Baru, Padang Pasir, Ulung Palang Atas, Ulung Palang Bawah, Pa Ukat, Pa Umor, Arur Dalan, Bario Asal, Arur Layun, Pa Ramapuh Atas and Pa Ramapuh Bawah and Pa Derung.
Sarawak Energy, in a statement, explained that the supply interruption was caused by a fault at the Bario Central Solar Hybrid Power Station.
“It occurred when prolonged cloudy weather conditions affected solar generation at the power station during the switchover to the power plant’s backup diesel generators,” it said.
Three technical teams, including one flown in by chartered helicopter earlier today, expedited repair works to restore supply.
A technical team had arrived on site earlier yesterday by road. Their deployment was delayed due to challenging terrain and rainy weather, which affected the timber track conditions. Under normal conditions, the journey via timber track for the Miri-based technical team would take about 14 hours.
The power utility corporation apologised to the Bario community for the inconvenience caused and said it had launched an immediate investigation into the cause. — DayakDaily
