KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 3 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW) is expanding the use of renewable energy (RE) in Sarawak’s interior to ensure that more residents have access to a reliable electricity supply by 2030.
Deputy Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said the effort was in line with the Sarawak Electricity Master Plan 2025-2030, the state government’s comprehensive strategy to expand energy access in hard-to-reach areas
She said that for areas far from grid access, the government was rolling out the Rural Electricity Supply (BELB) Programme using hybrid solar and mini-hydro systems, a more practical approach than grid connections, which required high costs and posed geographical challenges.
“This approach allows interior areas (communities) to enjoy a more secure electricity supply without relying on grid connections,” she said in response to a question from Senator Abun Sui Anyit at the Dewan Negara today.
She added that since 2015, more than 650 sites across Sarawak had been equipped with solar energy systems, covering areas such as Kapit, Belaga, Bukit Mabong and Song.
Rubiah said that several new projects would commence in 2026, including the Ulu Lung Mini Hydro System Project in Busang, a pilot project combining solar and mini-hydro technologies.
She said that also planned were the Hybrid Solar Projects in Telang Usan, Marudi and Katibas, as well as the upgrading of hybrid solar stations in Bario Central and Long Bedian.
Responding to a question on manpower capacity to ensure timely maintenance of solar systems, Rubiah said that KKDW had implemented an integrated operating model with Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) since 2022.
She said that SEB provided specialised manpower, including electrical engineers, hybrid solar technicians, field maintenance teams and remote monitoring teams, with KKDW covering all annual operation and maintenance costs.
“Through this model, fault response times can be reduced to between six and 48 hours, depending on the distance and site conditions,” she said.
--BERNAMA
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