News & Updates

KUCHING, 19 JULY, 2019, FRIDAY: The Sarawak Government and the Ministry of Utilities through Sarawak Energy are intensifying efforts to ensure reliable and affordable electricity supply for 99% of households in Sarawak by 2020 towards full electrification before 2025.

Minister for Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom said his Ministry is working closely with Sarawak Energy to accelerate delivery of rural electrification projects to achieve this ambition.

“We have a strong strategy and an efficient delivery mechanism to ensure 97% of rural households in Sarawak will have electricity at the end of 2020 from the current rural electrification rate of 92%,” he said when launching the Rural Electrification Scheme (RES) programme at Rumah Stia anak Rimau in Suai, Niah.

Rural electricity coverage increased to current 92% from 87% in 2016. Full electricity coverage is expected to be achieved before 2025.

“Under the Sarawak Accelerated Rural Electrification Master Plan, we are intensifying efforts to provide electricity to longhouses and villages that are still without this basic need,” Dr Rundi said.

RES involves extending grid lines into the interior. Apart from RES, other strategies under the Sarawak Accelerated Rural Electrification Master Plan to provide reliable and affordable electricity to rural areas include Rural Power Supply Scheme (RPSS) and Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (SARES).

The RES programme at Rumah Stia was completed and energised in March last year, benefitting more than 100 residents of the 15-unit longhouse. Previously, the longhouse residents were dependent on diesel-powered generator sets.

Dr Rundi (third right) at the launching of the RES programme. Also seen in the photo is the longhouse headman Stia anak Rimau (second right).

Dr Rundi (fourth from left) addressing the longhouse residents.