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Over 320 remote villages will connect with 24-hour electricity supply by 2020

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Through the federal-funded Rural Electrification Scheme (RES), about 110,000 new rural households have been connected to 24-hour electricity supply since 2009. “Presently, the overall electricity coverage in the state is 95 percent with rural coverage at 89 percent,” said Minister of Utilities, Datuk Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom in his winding up speech during the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here on Wednesday.

He said under the Rural Power Supply Master Plan, the new transmission lines and substations in the rural interior have been planned and this will form part of the integrated transmission system which connects rural areas to the main transmission grid.

He added, the Extra High Voltage rural transmission substations that were planned in Tatau (275 kV), Kanowit (132 kV) and Ba’Kelalan (132 kV) will further strengthen the supply in the respective areas which also support the future rural economic growth.

“Another initiative for rural electrification is the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (SARES), which is intended to light up houses and communities in the state’s most remote villages and households. “Since last year, 58 villages representing over 1,400 households benefitting more than 7,700 rural folks were connected under SARES.

“About 32 more villages for about 700 households benefitting over 3,000 rural folks are expected to be connected this year. “When SARES is completed by 2020, over 320 of our most remote villages will be connected with 24-hour supply through the construction of this community-based solar and micro-hydro system,” he pointed out.

Rundi also gave his assurance that his ministry is working with Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) on covered-conductor design for power distribution lines in rural areas with challenging and densely-forested terrain.

“The adoption of power lines utilising covered conductors can potentially cut down on wildlife disturbance, reduce easement width from the current six metres to less than two metres, as well as reducing interruptions and enhancing reliability.

“The state government will coordinate with the federal government for rural power supply funding to achieve full electrification under the Rural Power Supply Master Plan. This will also include other rural transmission substations development and use of covered conductor design suitable for our conditions,” he said.

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