KUCHING – Sixteen villages in Lubok Antu, a rural district about 250km from here, will be connected to the Sarawak electricity grid to allow about 1,040 residents from 208 households in Lemanak and Engkari to enjoy 24-hour reliable supply by the end of this year.
Sarawak Energy Berhad in a statement today said for the overall Sri Aman division, of which Lubok Antu is a part, rural electrification coverage now stands at 94.7%, with just over 780 households left to be connected to the grid for the area to reach full electrification.
It said under Phase 1 of the Rural Electrification Scheme (RES) for the area, a total of 114 rural households from nine villages in Lemanak are expected to receive grid connectivity by May, with 12 households from two villages already connected last December.
“RES Phase 2 will connect 359 households from 18 villages in Engkari and the remaining households in Lemanak by 2021/2022,” it said as works are continuing with strict compliance to the Covid-19 standard operating procedures.
Sarawak Energy said as of last year, the state’s rural electricity coverage had reached 95% involving 6,600 households. The rate is expected to reach 97% in the coming months.
Since 2009, about 150,000 rural households in the state have received electricity supply through various rural electrification strategies, such as grid system extension for rural areas with road accessibility and smaller stand-alone micro-hydro or solar power systems for the most remote areas.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Energy Rural Electrification vice-president Chen Shiun said that a dedicated team is continuing its efforts in accelerating rural electrification implementation through the various initiatives.
“We are currently constructing a 33kV substation in Nanga Kesit while extending our lines to reach communities at the last miles of Engkari and supply a wide expanse of Lemanak.
“The substation is expected to be commissioned by end of March, and it will enhance supply reliability to the entire Lubok Antu district,” he added. – Bernama, February 9, 2021
