208 rural households in Lubok Antu to get 24-hour electricity supply by year-end

KUCHING, Feb 9 -- 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 rural households in Lemanak and Engkari, to enjoy 24-hour reliable supply by the end of this year.

Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sarawak Energy) in a statement today said for the overall Sri Aman division of which Lubok Antu is part of it, rural electrification coverage now stands at 94.7 per cent, with just over 780 rural households left to be lighted up for the area to reach full electrification.

It said under their Phase One of the Rural Electrification Scheme (RES) for the area, a total of 114 rural households from nine villages in Lemanak is expected to receive grid connection by May with 12 households from two villages were already connected last December.

“RES Phase Two will light up 359 rural households from 18 villages in Engkari and the remaining households of Lemanak by 2021/2022,” it said as the works had continued through strict compliance to the COVID-19 prevention standard operating procedures.

Sarawak Energy said as of last year, Sarawak’s rural electricity coverage had reached 95 per cent involving 6,600 households and the rate is expected to reach 97 per cent in the coming months.

Since 2009, about 150,000 rural households in the state had received electricity supply through the various rural electrification strategies, such as the grid system extension for rural areas with road accessibility and smaller standalone micro-hydro or solar power systems for the most remote areas.  

Meanwhile, Sarawak Energy’s Vice-President for Rural Electrification, Dr Chen Shiun said that a dedicated team is continuing their 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 to supply a wide expanse of Lemanak.

“The substation is expected to be commissioned by end of March 2021 and it will also enhance supply reliability to the entire Lubok Antu district,” he added.

-- BERNAMA