Dr Hushairi Zen
KUCHING: Four communities in different rural locations in the state will soon benefit from micro-hydro projects developed by Universiti
Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) Engineering Faculty.
Faculty deputy dean (postgraduate and research) Dr Hushairi Zen said the projects developed under the faculty’s Micro Hydro Group are at various stages of development.
“The one in Semulong Ulu, Sri Aman is nearing completion, while the ones in Bukit Assum (Padawan), Nanga Sengaih (Julau) and Bario are still being developed or under the study process. The date of completion for each project varies and depends very much on logistics and accessibility to the site.
“In addition, we have to educate and empower the communities on how the system works for them. We have to explain that this is for basic usage such as lighting and fans, not for airconditioners and other heavy usage,” he said after officiating at Unimas’ Engineering Week 2013 yesterday.
He said micro-hydro systems are part of the faculty’s community-based projects.
“We chose the places because there is a need for them to have basic electricity. The communities have been using diesel-powered generators, which is costly and only able to deliver electricity for three to four hours.
“Giving them their own micro-hydro systems will enable them to have electricity up to six or eight hours per day,” he said.