Sandakan gets power supply boost

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SANDAKAN: A total of 28 megawatts (MW) will be added to the existing power supply capacity in the district through two separate projects.

According to Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) Senior General Manager (Asset Development), Ir. Abdul Naseer Abdul Wahid, one of the projects has started to supply 8MW.

The project involved the transport of eight canopy mobile generator sets from Kota Kinabalu to the SESB Labuk Power Station at Mile 9, he told reporters after the launch of the power station yesterday by Industrial Development Minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah.

Abdulm Naseer said the second project involves the rehabilitation of a 20MW gas turbine set at SESB Batu Sapi, which is expected to be completed end of this year.

He said the government has allocated RM50 million to implement various projects to improve power supply, relocate and rehabilitate generator sets in the district.

“The implementation of these measures will bring the System Average Duration Interruption Index (SAIDI) down to a more satisfactory level. “Currently, the highest power requirement (peak demand) in Sandakan has reached 112.5MW and with the completion of 8MW, the new supply capacity is 217.5 megawatts,” he said.
Meanwhile, Raymond, who is also Tanjung Papat assemblyman, said the Labuk Power Station shows the government is committed in fulfilling our promises to the people, especially in providing adequate electricity supply. “I also believe that the government’s long-term plan and a short term plan by the SESB can meet the power demand in the district,” he said.

Raymond also announced that a total of 83 organisations, comprising 65 educational institutions, 16 religious places and two charity bodies in Sandakan, will receive a 10 percent discount on their electricity bills.
The discount will help ease the financial burden of the organizations, he said.