SESB expanding use of prepaid meters at squatter settlements

KINABALU: Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) is expanding the implementation of the independent power distributor (IPD) initiative with prepaid meters to address illegal electricity supply connections, especially in squatter settlements in the state.

Its chief executive officer Mohd Yaakob Jaafar said that the latest special IPD project with prepaid meters for electricity supply will be implemented in the squatter settlement area in Tawau district, the second location after Kampung Forest in Sandakan.

He said that the implementation of the IPD project in Kampung Forest, Sandakan in October 2023 had succeeded in minimising the occurrence of electricity supply disruptions, vandalism and the quality of electricity supply in the surrounding area.

“The implementation of the IPD project in Kampung Forest, Sandakan also proves that this project is the answer to the issue of illegal connection which is very detrimental to SESB because we cannot collect revenue from electricity consumption,” he said in a statement.

Mohd Yaakob said that SESB had recently started the initial survey process to obtain information and scope to implement the IPD project in Tawau.

He said the proposed implementation of the IPD project was shared with Tawau Member of Parliament Datuk Lo Su Fui during the latter's visit to Kampung Hidayat, Tawau on Feb 22, which was also attended by SESB chairman Datuk Seri Madius Tangau.

“The proposed implementation of this project will then be submitted to the Energy Commission of Sabah (ECoS) to obtain an IPD licence and sales tariff rate.

Meanwhile, he said that the SESB is also working with ECoS to ensure that electricity can be supplied to residents in several villages in Kota Belud.

He said that the electricity supply facility that was channelled to the 19 villages was under the Rural Electricity Supply (BELB) project under the purview of the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW).