THE proposed Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2023 is timely in view of the need to speed up the target of 100 per cent electricity supply to the whole state in 2025.
John Ilus (GPS-Bukit Semuja) said Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) is taking initiatives to ensure this covers the rural areas or the last mile, in reference to electricity supply, by formulating the Rural Power Master Plan.
“Sarawak is facing huge areas to be covered, the physical and geographical features of the land which are sometimes difficult to enter and also lack of road connectivity, hindering the smooth implementation.
“Thus among others, SEB aims to accelerate rural electrification through the expansion of high voltage distribution networks from the existing grid under Rural Electrification Scheme (RES) and the Rural Power Supply Scheme (RPSS),” he said when debating the Bill on Tuesday (Nov 21).
He added for remote areas where it is very costly for the grid line, Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (SARES), a renewable alternative system is very appropriate while the standalone solar hybrid power station is another alternative.
“Besides our state size and land features, the other setbacks faced by our government to achieve 100 per cent electricity supply are the wayleave or access issues.
“This main challenge is due to land disputes, grievances among the villagers or between neighbouring villages, overlapping claims or access by plantation operators.
“With this Bill, we hope the relevant authorities such as the Land and Survey Department, Public Works Department (PWD), Resident and District offices, will continuously engage with communities and stakeholders to resolve these wayleave issues,” he said.
With this collaboration and cooperation between all stakeholders, which include landowners and villagers, he hoped the implementation of these rural electrification schemes will be able to meet the state’s vision for full coverage in 2025.
“In addition, the state’s capability in producing large amounts of green and renewable energy that has attracted the interest of many countries such as Kalimantan, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei.
“Singapore as we all know, is a developed country which intends to reduce carbon emission by their power sector by importing 30 per cent of its electricity from low-carbon sources by 2025,” he said.
He added with the large amount of energy to be exported to the neighbouring countries as well as Sabah, renewal energy or alternative energy resources is vital to sustain the output.
“Thus with this Bill, it allows our players to play their role effectively,” he said.
