Unimas’ hydro project at Kpg Assum completed, handed over to villagers

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Kadim signs on a plaque to signify the handing over of the projectto the villagers while (from left) Kamarudin, Hazrul, Wan Hashim, Siang, Nur Azlin, and Siti Noor look on.

KOTA SAMARAHAN: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) has successfully completed the Kpg Assum Hydro Micro project, and has been handed over to the village by its vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi.

In his speech, Kadim congratulated researchers from Renewable Energy Centre (CREN) for the project success, and also thanked Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change for funding the project.

He said Unimas would continue to work closely with the government departments in providing adequate, quality and comfortable basic facilities for all people in the state’s urban and rural areas.

“As a public university, Unimas is concerned with the development and needs of Sarawakians especially those in rural areas.

“We hope this project will benefit the people of Kpg Assum in terms of the quality of life, socio-economy, and their environment, ” he said.

The ministry’s secretary Nur Azlin Muhamad Early, vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) Professor Dr Wan Hashim Wan Ibrahim; vice-chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Professor Dr Kamarudin Kana; Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Associate Professor Dr Siti Noor Linda Taib; CREN director Dr Hazrul Mohamed Basri, and Kpg Assum headman Siang Sayod were among those who attended the event.

The project began in 2013 and was completed in 2016. It is one of several CREN projects undertaken to help the rural community obtain basic and inexpensive electricity for their daily needs.

The15kw micro-hydro project involved the construction of water catchment areas, electro-mechanical devices such as turbines and generators, low voltage transmission and electrical grid networks.

“To date, the villagers have two sources of electricity – from the hydro and SEB grid.

“The generation of free electricity has successfully stimulated the socio-economic activities of the local community,” Kadim said.

The project, meanwhile, has won two awards – Renewable Energy for off-grid during the 37th Asean Minister of Energy 2019 in Bangkok, and the National Energy Award 2019 in Kuala Lumpur.

CREN was established in 2009 under Unimas Faculty of Engineering, to promote research and development activities in the areas of sustainable energy and sustainable technology.

“It is also a Unimas strategy to support research and development activities based on specific areas such as biodiversity and environmental conservation, sustainable community transformation, and information, and communication and creative technology,” he said.