A power cable damaged by contractors doing excavation work.
KUCHING: Excavation works by third party contractors have damaged underground cables in three places this month alone, causing major supply interruptions in Kapit, Kota Samarahan and Kuching, and affecting thousands of households and businesses.
Sarawak Energy’s operations and retail arm, Syarikat Sesco Berhad (Sesco) chief executive officer Lau Kim Swee reminded contractors to check with their Customer Care Centre about underground cable routes before commencing excavation works to avoid damaging power cables.
“Safety is our key priority. At the end of the day, we want to make sure that everybody goes home safely. Please call Sarawak Energy to determine that the area is clear of cable routes before proceeding, and be extra cautious when carrying out excavation works.
“Do not assume the location or depth of the underground cables. Always check the cable route with us.
“This basic precautionary measure will ensure that it is safe to work, avoid damaging cables and causing power outages,” he said in a statement issued by Sarawak Energy yesterday.
According to him, a total of 134 cases of damaged cables due to third party excavation work have been recorded since 2016, with accumulated losses amounting to more than RM1 million.
“Sarawak Energy is very concerned about the recurring incidences, despite contractors being constantly reminded to be wary when working close to power installations,” he said.
Urging contractors to work closely with Sarawak Energy, Lau said all these incidents could be avoided if proper planning, consultation and precautionary actions were taken.
He also noted that Sarawak Energy staff have been visiting construction sites to advise contractors and issue notices and reminders as part of the preventive measures.
In the incident that occurred in Kapit on May 1, more than 5,500 customers were left without power supply when a 33kV underground cable was struck by an excavator.
The severity of the damage to the cable also resulted in recurring power trips to affected areas before power was fully restored.
On May 3, a similar incident occurred in Entinggan, Samarahan when a 33kV underground cable was damaged by excavation works. It took four hours to repair the damaged cable before power supply was restored.
The most recent case happened on May 14 when excavation work at the Bulatan Kipali construction site in Kuching damaged an 11kV underground cable and affected several parts of Petra Jaya.
Although the problem was rectified quickly, damage to the cable caused another power trip the following day – affecting supply to customers in Semarak, SMK Petra Jaya, Taman Sri Wangi, Sri Wangi Flat and Taman Hijrah.
Contractors with enquiries are welcome to contact Sarawak Energy’s technical team at 1300-88-3111 or email to [email protected].