SARAWAK Energy Berhad (SEB) is building a new substation in Serudit as a main power source for Betong District and surrounding areas like Engkilili, Spaoh and Debak to overcome supply cut-off.
Assistant Minister of Utilities (Rural Electricity) Datuk Liwan Lagang said the new substation is expected to be completed during the second quarter of next year.
“It has six outgoing feeders to distribute electric supply to Betong, Ulu Layar, Spaoh and Debak. This is in comparison to only one outgoing feeder from Engkilili substation which is currently the main supply for these areas,” he said when answering a question posed by Razi Sitam (GPS-Saribas) at the State Legislative Assembly here yesterday.
According to Liwan, SEB is also building a 33/11kV substation at Jalan Jungkong, Betong with recabling works currently being carried out and expected to complete by January next year.
He said once completed, electricity reliability in Betong area can be increased.
“The Jungkong substation will be the main power supply for the Tanjung Assam, Lidong and Maktab Rendah Sains Mara. At the moment, the supply comes from Engkilili.”
Electricity in the area is currently supplied using a long cable from the Engkilili substation – exposing the cable to outside disturbance including rainstorm, strong winds causing trees to fall on electric poles and vehicle crashes duringaccidents.
Any disturbances that happen anywhere along the cable will disrupt the electric supply to Betong, Spaoh and Debak areas.