MIRI: Sarawak Energy is progressing well with reinforcement works costing almost RM1 billion to enhance reliability of supply and system stability in Miri.
A number of major projects implemented simultaneously since 2014 include additional injection points with the construction of a number of zone substations in urban Miri and its outskirts to cater for the city’s rapid development and expansion, as well as the upgrading of other infrastructure such as additional feeders, transformers, replacement of ageing equipment and power lines.
Sharbini Suhaili, Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer, said, “It is critical to strengthen supply to Miri given the rapid development, expansion and the increasing population density. We will be able to achieve this through our reinforcement initiatives and a dedicated technical team in Miri.”
“Most of the projects and upgrading works are expected to be completed within the next five years. Upon completion, we expect to strengthen the Miri network significantly,” he said.
The major reinforcement
projects include:
i. Enhanced the capacity of Pujut Power Station in 2015 with an additional (33MW) gas turbine.
ii. Reconstruction of Tudan 275kV substation completed in May this year
iii. Construction of the Marudi Junction 275kV substation which is currently in progress
iv. Construction of a 132kV Ring for Miri City encompassing Tudan-Pujut-Eastwood-Marudi Junction-Tudan. These areas are presently being linked up.
v. Implementation of Bunut-Marudi Junction 275kV lines project is on track and the tender for this project will be awarded soon.
vi. Similajau-Bunut 500kV lines project to be implemented soon following the call for tender.
vii. Construction of 33kV substations
Sarawak Energy also continues to work with the Miri community and their elected representatives to keep the public informed and updated on the progress of these initiatives.
Tan Joo Kok, Sarawak Energy’s Regional Manager for Northern Region said these engagements were important for public understanding of Sarawak Energy’s efforts to improve supply stability in Miri.
He said this when accompanying Assistant Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin on a site visit to the newly upgraded Tudan substation.
Datuk Lee was briefed on the project’s progress and the overall system reinforcement projects for the city.
“We thank Datuk Lee for his concern and for working closely with us by promptly highlighting issues faced by the communities for our immediate action and also for his assistance in explaining to the public about our ongoing projects, “he said.
The reconstruction of Tudan substation, which serves as a major injection point for Miri, along with cable laying works was completed in May 2017 providing additional capacity and backup to the city’s supply.
Prior to its reconstruction, the substation was heavily loaded which made it susceptible to trippings, causing major outages in the city.
Reinforcing the southern part of Miri is also a key focus area due to the current line performance.
Marudi Junction Transmission substation which is expected to come online by early 2018 will cater to the growing load demand in this part of Miri.
Tan said the operations team has doubled the initiatives to minimise the risk of unplanned interruptions by increasing line patrols and stepping up maintenance and vegetation management at overhead lines.
Nevertheless, he also said other causes of the outages in Miri include excavation works damaging underground cables, copper theft and vandalism to power facilities.
Tan seeks support from members of the public to report to Sarawak Energy Customer Care
Centre at 1300-88-3111 or the police should they come across such incidents.
