Dr Stephen Rundi holds up a copy of his ministerial winding-up speech. Dr Rundi presented his winding-up speech during the State Legislative Assembly sitting yesterday.
KUCHING: About 89 per cent of rural areas are now enjoying electricity supply through the federal-funded Rural Electrification Scheme (RES).
This was disclosed by Minister of Public Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi, who said it included the overall coverage in the state which stands at 95 per cent.
“About 110,000 new rural households are enjoying 24-hour electricity through the federal-funded RES since 2009.
Now, the overall electricity coverage in the state is 95 per cent while the rural areas is 89 per cent,” he said in his winding-up speech yesterday.
Dr Rundi added that it was always the plan and intention of the state government to narrow the gap between urban and rural areas to enable every Sarawakian to enjoy mainstream development.
He added that new transmission lines and substations in the rural areas had been planned under the Rural Power Supply Master Plan, which would form part of the integrated transmission system to connect rural areas to the main grid.
He told the House that among the extra High Voltage rural transmission substations planned are Tatau 275KV, Kanowit 132KV and Ba Kelalan 132 KV, to further strengthen supply in the respective areas and to support future economic growth.
Another initiative for rural electrification in the state is Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (SARES), which has benefited about 7,700 people from 1,400 households in 58 villages since last year, he said.
He added that over 3,000 people from 700 households in 32 villages are expected to enjoy electricity through SARES this year.
“When SARES is completed in 2020, over 320 remote villages in the state will also be able to enjoy 24-hour electricity through this community-based solar and micro-hydro systems.
“The state government will co-ordinate with the federal government for rural power supply funding to achieve full electrification under the Rural Power Supply Master Plan,” he said.
This would include the development of other rural transmission substations and the use of covered conductor design suitable for conditions in the state, he added.