Community leaders from the nine villages at the Sares handing over ceremony officiated by Dr Rundi (3rd left in back row).
MIRI: Sarawak Energy recently handed over solar-powered systems under Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification System (Sares) to nine villages in Telang Usan, providing 630 more households of 6,861 residents round-the-clock renewable energy.
The villages were Long Ajeng, Ba Muboi, Lio Mato, Long Tungan, Long Selaan, Long Moh, Long Jeeh, Long Jekitan and Long Tikan.
Representatives from the nine villages gathered at Kampung Lio Mato yesterday for the official handover ceremony and completion of their training to operate and maintain the solar system.
First introduced in 2016, Sares has accelerated electricity coverage for Sarawak’s remote rural heartlands where villages are off the grid.
In the Telang Usan district, more than 2,800 households in 49 remote villages now have access to 24-hour free electricity supply via the Sares initiative.
Minister of Utilities Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom officiated at the ceremony, which was also attended by Deputy Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly and Mulu assemblyman Dato Gerawat Gala, Assistant Minister of Utilities (Rural Electricity) Datuk Liwan Lagang, Baram Mmeber of Parliament Anyi Ngau, Telang Usan district officer Baru Tai and representatives from relevant agencies and community leaders.
Sarawak Energy was represented by Dr Chen Shiun, vice president for Rural Electrification and the Sares team.
Dr Rundi commended the representatives for completing their training on how to operate and maintain the solar systems, saying their task is crucial in ensuring the long-term sustainability and success of the solar system.
With Sares, each household is provided with 3,000Wh of renewable electricity daily, catering for a typical rural household’s basic needs.