New Kanowit substation for better reliability of electricity supply

KUCHING, Aug 12 (Bernama) -- A new 32/33/11 kilovolt (kV) substation in Kanowit, a semi-urban settlement in central Sarawak, is nearing completion to connect it to the State's main electricity grid to reinforce the power distribution network in the area and improve reliability of supply. 

The State's power utility company Sarawak Energy Berhad (Sarawak Energy) in a statement today, said prior to the commissioning of the new substation, transmission line connection works from the Kemantan-Song/Kapit lines of the electricity grid would require a scheduled shutdown of one line from Aug 14 to 21.

The statement mentioned that while electricity supply as well as Telekom Malaysia's fixed lines and UNIFI Mobile services were expected to be unaffected during the connection works duration, services by the State's telecommunications provider Sacofa for Kapit and Song would be disrupted for about eight hours on Aug 15.

It said currently, electricity in Kanowit and its surrounding areas are supplied via two circuits of 33KV overhead supply lines that run at a distance of about 35km from the Sibu Airport 33/11KV Substation, making these long supply lines susceptible to interference and faults.

"The Kanowit substation funded under the Projek Rakyat Sarawak is one of the key projects to increase the rural electrification coverage under the Rural Electrification Scheme and caters to the demand load for Kanowit District," it said.

The new RM54 million substation would also serve as a new injection point that would significantly improve the supply network for Kanowit and the surrounding rural areas and all necessary preparations had been taken to ensure safe completion of the works in the shortest time possible. 

-- BERNAMA