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Razak briefing Chin (left) on the operations at the distribution substation
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15th January, 2010
SANDAKAN: Power supply in the district has gradually improved following the commissioning of 15 mobile generators towards end of last year.
The mobile generators with a total capacity of 20 MW were installed at the main distribution substation (PPU) in Sim Sim at a cost of RM 25 million between October 15 and December 7.
And, mobile generators with a similar capacity were also installed in the west coast and Tawau as a temporary solution to the power generation problem caused by the frequent breakdowns to the existing aging machines.
“The federal government and Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) decided to take immediate action to address the interruptions occurring in October and November last year,” Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui told reporters after visiting the SESB main distribution substation housing the 15 mobile generators in Sim Sim on Thursday.
He said the use of mobile generators is part of the short-term measure undertaken by SESB to provide a more stable power supply to consumers in the state.
Chin added that SESB would be able to resolve many of the interruptions and that consumers in Sabah could expect better electricity supply by 2014 with the commissioning of two new Independent Power Producers in the west coast and the construction of the coal fired power plant in FELDA Sahabat, Tungku.
“The three facilities together with existing machines can generate a total capacity 700 MW four years from now,” the Minister said.
And, according to him, Sabah would have another 300 MW by 2017 when the Liwagu and Upper Padas Hydroelectric projects are implemented.
“This brings the total capacity to 1,000 MW which should be more than enough to meet the maximum demand of 720 MW by consumers in the state.
“We have to implement long-term measures to cater for the growing demand for power supply in Sabah and we are also encouraging the use of empty fruit bunches by palm oil mills to generate power,” Chin said.
He believed that with the introduction of biomass fuel, SESB could generate electricity into the future.
“The people of Sabah must understand that the federal government and SESB have to implement these measures as there is a need to provide enough electricity.
“The breakdown of old machines, among others, contributed to last year’s frequent interruptions ,” Chin said.
The minister was accompanied by his deputy Noriah Kasnon, SESB senior general manager for operations Razak Salim, Sandakan Municipal Council president James Wong, Batu Sapi Member of Parliament Datuk Edmund Chong, Elopura Assemblyman Au Kam Wah, senior officials from the ministry and SESB during his visit.
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