By Jaythaleela K
MIRI, April 15: As Malaysia’s largest renewable energy provider, Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) is keen to scale into new business opportunities towards sustainable energy for the future.
SEB’s group chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Sharbini Suhaili disclosed that for Miri and the northern part of Sarawak, SEB has made significant investments to improve and strengthen the system performance of reliable electricity supply.
Sharbini said this during SEB’s breaking of fast event at Masjid Darul Ehsan Piasau in Miri on Thursday.
He added, that for Miri division, they have completed three new sub-stations, namely Miri Town (33Kv) in 2019; Piasau (33Kv) in 2020 and 33kV in Senadin earlier this year to cater for the increasing load demand.
“With these substations, electricity supply can be improved, and 33kV and 11kV distribution systems can be restructured,” he pointed out.
Meanwhile, in Lawas, the Kota 2 Mini-Hydro Station has also been fully completed and is operating to meet the needs of the residents.
“To achieve the target and accelerate the connection of electricity supply to the whole of Sarawak by 2025, the ALAF (Additional Late Applicant Fund) project in Miri division has successfully connected electricity supply to 1,194 rural populations from 22 villages since 2018,” Sharbini said.
However, he said, that issues related to land ownership have been the biggest challenge in the process to connect the electricity supply.
“If these issues are prolonged it will pose a long term risk to the reliability of the electricity supply system in Northern Sarawak,” he disclosed.
Thus, SEB is hoping that the effort to accelerate electrification projects in the northern region including Miri are given priority and cooperation from all parties in order to cater to the increasing energy supply demand.
On another note, Sharbini also expressed his thanks to the community in Miri, the police and local authorities for their cooperation against rampant power theft which are intertwined with cryptocurrency farming operations.
During the event, SEB also presenting ‘duit raya’ to mosques, suraus, Tahfiz schools and a local welfare home for underprivileged children.
30 underprivileged children from Pusat Jagaan Anak Kesayang Kami were also treated to the breaking of fast event.
Also present were Deputy Minister for Utilities and Telecommunication Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, Pujut assemblyman Adam Yii Siew Sang cum Miri Mayor, and local community leader Temenggong Datuk Abdul Rahman Fadzail. — DayakDaily
