JULAU: Deputy Minister of Information, Communication and Culture Datuk Joseph Salang wants more rivers with micro hydro potential in the state to be harnessed to produce electricity.
He said micro hydro may be the best alternative to provide electricity to rural areas because it is cheaper and better than using other renewable energy like solar and air system.
“It is also commercially viable especially in the state with its geographical factor making it hard to connect rural areas to the state’s grid.
“I believe micro hydro could provide more longhouses with 24 hours electricity,” he told reporters after officiating at the groundbreaking ceremony for micro hydro project for Rumah Balang at Nanga Sengaih in Sungai Entabai here on Friday.
He said at the moment most longhouses in the state without power supply were still using generator sets for electricity.
The price of fuel there is high due to transportation charges, he said.
Salang who is also Julau MP said the project in Nanga Sengaih was the first initiative by Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKLW) and University Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) in the parliamentary constituency.
He believed the project for 39-door longhouse would be successful and hoped it would help the longhouse residents to improve their socio economy.
“This would be a pilot project for the ministry before more of such projects be implemented in other areas in the state,” he said.
In Julau alone, he said there were about 10 to 15 rivers that had the micro hydro potential.
“We must realise that while we enjoy the fruits of the products from our rivers, we must protect and make sure our rivers are sustainable at the same time.
“We must not pollute and cut the trees as we wish without control as eventually it may deprive us of the project potential like this,” he said.
In his speech earlier, Tuai Rumah Balang thanked Unimas and KKLW for implementing the project there.
He said it would enable them to enjoy electricity round the clock.
Among those present were Unimas vice chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Khairuddin Ab Hamid and Sarikei Resident Michael Dawi Alli.