KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) is on track to further lower its System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) to no more than 540 minutes this year, a new target it has set after successfully keeping power disruption below the 700-minute mark last year.
SESB managing director Datuk Ir Baharin Din yesterday expressed confidence that they would be able to register a new record low in average outage duration, citing various infrastructure projects that have been completed and currently being implemented to improve electricity supply reliability in the State.
“As of last week (Septemer 11), SESB registered a SAIDI of 381 minutes, a significant improvement as compared to the 687 minutes per customer recorded for last year. This is a substantial improvement that I believe the consumers notice the difference,” he said when speaking to reporters after the SESB Hari Raya Open House here yesterday.
Baharin however admitted that the new SAIDI target, even if it is successfully achieved, still cannot be considered as an outstanding achievement, considering the much lower interruption duration average in other states in the country.
SESB, he said, would continue to strive towards implementing positive actions to continuously improve the electricity supply system in Sabah.
He noted that RM400 million was allocated for implementing various projects under the SESB and another RM200 million has been given for continuing these projects this year.
“I believe this will effectively strengthen the power supply in the State. I think with what has been completed as well as those to be completed soon, we will be able to stay below the 540-minute mark,” he said, without revealing any further details on the utility projects currently ongoing.
Asked how the consumers were responding to the increased tariff, he said the number of complaints received at the special operation room set up to deal with queries pertaining to the new power rate structure had decreased significantly.
He said people were beginning to understand and accept the increased rate after SESB organised a number of sessions to explain to the customers how the new tariff system works.
“Most of the complaints were due to lack of understanding of the new system, but we have managed to deal with it. Of course, there were also some dissatisfaction from hoteliers, factories and the industries but we have been meeting them regularly and explain to them.
“Overall, the response has been quite positive. The new tariff is a balanced one that promotes efficient consumption of electricity and they can accept it. If you practise Electricity Efficiency (EE), the new tariff would not affect your bill,” he said.
At the open house earlier, SESB presented contributions to be distributed among 58 selected orphans from across the State.
Also present were SESB Board of Director chairman Tan Sri Leo Moggie, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Yahya Hussin and other state ministers and elected representatives.