SARAWAK ALTERNATIVE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION SCHEME (SARES)
In 2016, the Sarawak Government set a target for the state: achieve full electrification by 2025, ahead of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDG) 7 target of 2030. This strategy gave priority to electrifying the most remote villages, leading to the establishment of the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (SARES) programme. Sarawak Energy was entrusted as the implementing agency, focusing on the construction and installation of standalone solar energy systems in villages located in the most remote and inaccessible areas.
With funding of more than RM800 Million from both the Sarawak and Federal Governments, two distinct PV systems - the Centralised Solar Power System (CSPS) and the Solar Home System (SHS) - have been installed in 546 villages as of May 2023. This initiative has effectively ensured 24-hour electricity supply for over 15,000 families in rural Sarawak.
The majority of SARES projects are located in the Kapit Division, with over half of them concentrated in areas like Song, Bukit Mabong, Sg Gaat, Sg Pila and Sg Oyan, primarily accessible through logging roads or rivers. Additionally, the SARES system has also made a significant impact in the Miri Division, particularly within the Telang Usan District, where the programme’s extensive reach has benefited many villages and households. Other divisions with SARES projects are Bintulu, Sri Aman, Sarikei and Limbang.
Through the utilisation of advanced solar and battery technologies, the SARES programme has played a vital role in realising Sarawak’s goal of achieving full electricity coverage by 2025.
Table 1.0: SARES villages, households & PV capacity
|
NO |
DIVISION |
NUMBER OF VILLAGES |
HOUSEHOLDS |
PV POWER |
|
1 |
Limbang |
15 |
257 |
268 |
|
2 |
Miri |
122 |
6155 |
6248 |
|
3 |
Bintulu |
91 |
1515 |
1525 |
|
4 |
Kapit |
267 |
6151 |
6234 |
|
5 |
Sibu |
2 |
48 |
49 |
|
6 |
Mukah |
1 |
11 |
13 |
|
7 |
Sarikei |
25 |
473 |
449 |
|
8 |
Sri Aman |
21 |
319 |
323 |
|
9 |
Samarahan |
2 |
18 |
21 |
|
Total |
546 |
14,947 |
15,130 |
|
Figure 1.0: SARES locations in rural Sarawak
SARES Technical Specifications
The SARES solar system generally provides a household power capacity of 1kW, with each household receiving a daily allocation of 3000 watt-hours (Wh) of electricity. These capacities adequately support the operation of basic lighting and household appliances, including items like lamps, fans, small freezer, televisions, computers and other electronic devices. Refer to Figure 2.0 for an illustration.
Figure 2.0: Electrical appliances used in SARES
In the implementation of SARES, there are two types of solar systems - the Centralised Solar Power System (CSPS) and the Solar Home System (SHS). Most of the villages are equipped with the CSPS, consisting of a solar PV array farm and a powerhouse. CSPS powerhouses are constructed using metal-clad materials for ease of transport and installation in remote locations. Additionally, concrete pedestals and aluminium structures are used to provide support for the solar panels.
The Solar Home System (SHS) is designed for individual houses situated in remote areas, where it is impractical to connect them to a Centralised Solar Power System (CSPS) via overhead lines. Each SHS is equipped with its own set of solar panels, an inverter, and a battery bank, all sized appropriately to power the household appliances for a single family.
Figure 3.0: Centralised Solar Power System (CSPS)
Figure 4.0: Solar Home System SHS)
The key components of the solar system include solar panels, solar inverters, battery inverters, and batteries. All equipment utilised in SARES projects undergoes approval by Sarawak Energy and are procured from reputable manufacturers, adhering to both international and national standards.
Figure 5.0: Solar Panel, Solar Inverters, Battery Inverters and Batteries
The systems are engineered according to three specific requirements outlined in Figure 6.0.
Sarawak’s ample solar potential is due to its close proximity to the equator. On average, a 1kW solar panel can generate about 1 MWh of energy per year. To compensate for reduced sunlight during cloudy or rainy days, the installed battery can sustain the daily load for up to two days. Each household is also equipped with an energy limiter to monitor and regulate individual energy consumption. This ensures a fair distribution of energy and the reliable performance of the solar system.
Figure 6.0: SARES technical requirements
The solar panels are configured with a capacity of approximately 1 kW per household, with each household having a daily energy consumption limit of 3 kilowatt-hours (kWh). Additionally, the batteries are designed to provide a 2-day autonomy, totaling 6 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per household.
SARES Benefits
The SARES programme has already brought benefits to more than 54,067 individuals, aiming to reduce the socioeconomic gaps between urban and rural areas. This initiative has enabled villagers to pursue nighttime activities such as crafting and mending fishing nets, generating additional income opportunities. Rural schoolchildren now can also study in the evening and access television and radios for both entertainment and educational purposes, enhancing their knowledge and educational resources.
SARES delivers vital health and economic benefits to rural communities. With a reliable supply of electricity, communities can use refrigerators and freezers to preserve food. Having electricity supply also leads to cost savings for villages as it reduces the need to purchase expensive diesel fuel. In remote areas, fuel prices are typically 2 to 3 times higher than retail prices due to transportation expenses. Villagers often spend between RM300 and RM400 each month to buy petrol for their generator sets. Consequently, some villagers are forced to either go without lighting or rely on paraffin lamps due to the unaffordable cost of fuel. This initiative significantly enhances the livelihood of rural communities by reducing the necessity for frequent trips to town to purchase supplies and diesel for their generators.
SARES involves the local community in the supply of construction materials, hiring casual labour, and providing transportation services. This approach has allowed communities to increase their income during a project's construction period. Additionally, SARES offers training in solar operation and maintenance before project completion, aiming to develop local skills to manage the daily operations of the SARES station.
After full completion and commissioning, the system will be handed over to the rural community. Prior to this, Sarawak Energy will provide villagers with essential training in solar system operation, electrical safety and routine maintenance to ensure the long-term sustainability of the systems. The rural community assumes responsibilities such as cleaning the solar panels, tending to the solar farm, addressing temporary electricity supply issues and reporting system faults to Sarawak Energy.
The future of rural electrification through the SARES project
After the successful completion and implementation of the SARES projects, Sarawak Energy is dedicated to providing ongoing technical support and training to the beneficiary communities. This ensures the continued secure and reliable power supply to the community.
In addition, Sarawak Energy, with the support of the Sarawak Government, has initiated several efforts aimed at ensuring the sustainability of the SARES system. These measures include battery replacement programmes and the identification of villages with larger populations that may benefit from an upgrade to solar hybrid stations.
As the grid system continues to expand into more rural areas, Sarawak has plans to connect SARES villages to the grid once the necessary infrastructure is in place.
Through SARES, rural villagers now have access to 24/7 electricity supply
Figure 7.0: Drone images of Ba Muboi (left), Long Anap (middle) and Long Pillah (right) in Miri
Figure 8.0: Drone images of Long Apu (left), Long Mekaba (middle) and Long Miri (right) in Miri
The list of electrified villages in Sarawak can be accessed by clicking here.