Sares lights up 100 homes in 3 Marudi villages
MIRI: A total of 827 residents from 100 households in Long Ukok, Long Patan and Long Pahlo in Marudi now have access to 24- hour electricity, thanks to Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme ( Sares).
Sarawak Energy held a handingover ceremony to mark the completion and commissioning of the solar- powered systems at Long Ukok yesterday, officiated by Assistant Minister of Rural Electricity Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi.
“In Miri division, Sares has already powered up about 50 remote communities of almost 2,300 households, comprising 28 villages in Telang Usan, seven in Long Lama, nine in Beluru and six in Marudi.
“By 2020, about 120 remote communities in Miri division will have access to 24- hour reliable and renewable electricity supply under Sares,” said Sarawak Energy via a press statement.
It added that Sares is an innovative, governmentcommunity partnership model utilising renewable off- grid solutions to light up Sarawak’s most remote communities.
Dr Abdul Rahman in his speech said Accelerated Rural Electrification Masterplan aimed to expedite full electricity coverage for Sarawak by 2025 through a mix of strategies, including expanding the grid by extending transmission and distribution infrastructure as well as lighting up remote communities through off- grid solutions.
“Sares is one of several initiatives under the masterplan driven and funded by the Sarawak government through the Ministry of Utilities and implemented by Sarawak Energy.
“An allocation of RM2.37 billion has been approved for 2019-2020 to accelerate rural electrification
By 2020, about 120 remote communities in Miri division will have access to 24-hour reliable and renewable electricity supply under Sares.
coverage to 97 per cent by 2020 towards full electrification by 2025,” he added.
Among those present at the event were State Legislative Assembly ( DUN) Deputy Speaker Dato Gerawat Gala who is Mulu assemblyman, Telang Usan assemblyman Dennis Ngau, agency heads and community leaders.
Sarawak Energy was represented by vice- president for rural electrification Dr Chen Shiun.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Energy group chief executive officer Datu Sharbini Suhaili said remote communities can be connected to the main grid when road infrastructure is developed or improved in the future, while villages located very far from the grid will be able to have access to electricity supply with Sares.
“Sares is designed to be sustainable in the longer term and involves the community from planning to implementation.
“After the projects are completed and implemented, the Sares team will continue to provide technical support and train beneficiary communities to operate and maintain the system,” he said.
Adding on, Chen said that if any major work is required, his team will be ready to be deployed to handle the issue and to ensure reliable supply to the residents.
“These solar-powered systems are replacing noisy and expensive diesel generator sets with limited
Sarawak Energy press statement
running hours, to meet basic household electricity needs with lighting, fans, a television, a freezer and a cooker. In addition, the systems are simple in design without any compromise on safety,” he said.
Sares is expected to electrify about 15,600 households in remote villages by 2021 with either solar or micro-hydro solutions.
Launched in 2016, the RM830million programme has accelerated electricity coverage in Sarawak and has lighted up almost 5,000 of the 15,600 households.