(Seated from second left) Tan, Lee, and Ting during a photo call for the dialogue.
MIRI: Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) is looking for ways to improve electricity supply to customers here to cope with the increasing demand from a growing population.
SEB Northern Region regional manager Tan Joo Kok said there are currently power stations in the northern zone and central zone.
“At the northern zone, the primary source from the state grid via transmission line from Similajau to Tudan supplies power to Tudan, Permyjaya, Lutong, Kuala Baram A and Kuala Baram B; whilst for central zone, which is at Pujut Power Station, supplies power to town (Pujut, Krokop, Town, Marina) and southern area comprising Luak Bay, Airport, Lambir and Taman Tunku,” he said during a dialogue with the Miri Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) on Thursday.
“So far, the development at northern zone has slowed down, however we have observed a more rapid development at southern zone. The growing demand has resulted in its secondary source (Pujut power station) to become insufficient to supply our customers.”
He said SEB plans to build high voltage substations at Marudi Junction and Eastwood, which are expected to be completed in 2019, to cater to customers in Miri until 2030.
There are currently over 10 zone substations supplying medium to low voltage power to areas such as Kuala Baram A and B, Lutong, Tudan, Pujut, Permyjaya, Krokop, Marina, Luak Bay, Airport, Taman Tunku, and Lambir.
“Each zone substation is estimated to supply power to 4,000 to 8,000 customers. When it has exceeded 10,000 customers, it could cause power overload. With the drastic growth of population, an addition of six new zone substations, which are estimated to be completed by 2018, aim to cater to the growing needs,” said Tan.
On standard operating procedure during power outages, Tan explained the emergency team will check on the area and begin tracing the cause once a complaint is received.
“During this period, the team will conduct trial and error to test the switches at power stations and substations. If they fail to turn on the power, they will continue to trace the cause of the power failure until it is back on.
“Members of the public need to understand that the distance of the area to trace are vital because the farther, the longer time for the emergency team to reach it. We seek the public’s understanding to wait with patience, while our emergency team resolves the problem,” he added.
Among those present at the dialogue were Piasau assemblyman Datuk Sebastian Ting, and MCCCI chairman Lee Khoi Yun.