Critical part of transmission backbone to be commissioned – SEB

KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Berhad ( SEB) will commission a critical part of its 500kV transmission backbone soon.

SEB chief executive officer Sharbini Suhaili said this will help to enhance the reliability of power supply to Sibu, Kuching, and surrounding areas.

“With the commissioning of the critical part of the transmission backbone, SEB will also look into enhancing and improving our transmission line and distribution line.

“Apart from energising the section of the transmission backbone, we are also looking at exporting power to our neighbours soon,” he said during SEB’s ‘buka puasa’ event on Monday.

He said SEB began exporting power to West Kalimantan last year, and is now looking at Sabah and Brunei.

“The state domestic coverage on the other hand is at 94 per cent, while we are proud to say that the rural coverage has improved from 55 per cent in 2009 to 87 per cent in 2016,” he said.

Sharbini said seven years ago, demand was about 1,000MW but is now threefold.

“We can continue to cater to the demand due to the 2,400MW Bakun hydro facility,” he said.

He added that Balingian coal power plant is expected to deliver power by the end of this year, while the Baleh hydroelectric dam project is expected to generate power by 2025.