Sarawak Energy invests about RM1b to improve power reliability and stability in Miri, outskirts

MIRI, June 30, 2017 - Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) has invested about RM1b on equipments and other infrastructures to improve the reliability and stability of power supply here and its surrounding areas since 2014, its group chief executive officer Sharbini Suhali said today.

 Sarawak Energy Berhad's group chief executive officer Sharbini Suhaili says major improvement to ensure reliability and stability in Miri over the last three years.
 

These include the construction of zone substations, increasing the number of feeders, transformers and replacement of ageing equipment and power lines.

Sharbini said:"It is critical to strengthen supply to Miri given the rapid development, expansion and the increasing population density.

"We will be able to achieve this through our reinforcement initiatives and a dedicated technical team in Miri," he explained.

“Most of the projects and upgrading works are expected to be completed within the next five years. Upon completion, we expect to strengthen the Miri network significantly,” he said.

Among the major reinforcement projects are the enhanced the capacity of Pujut Power Station in 2015 with an additional (33MW) gas turbine, reconstruction of Tudan 275kV substation which was completed in May this year and the construction of the Marudi Junction 275kV substation which is currently in progress.

He said the other project is the 132kV Ring for Miri City encompassing Tudan-Pujut-Eastwood-Marudi Junction-Tudan.

Sharbini said tender for the installation of the Bunut-Marudi Junction 275kV line will be awarded soon while the Similajau-Bunut 500kV line project will be implemented soon following the call for tender.

Meanwhile, SEB regional manager for northern region Tan Joo Kok  said engagements with the local community and the elected representatives are important for public understanding of the efforts to improve supply stability.

He said this when accompanying  Assistant Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Datuk Lee Kim Shin on a site visit to the newly upgraded Tudan substation. 

Lee, who is also the Senadin state assembyman, was briefed on the project's progress and the overall system reinforcement projects for the city.

"We thank Datuk Lee for his concern and for working closely with us by promptly highlighting issues faced by the communities for our immediate action and also for his assistance in explaining to the public about our ongoing projects," Tan said.

The upgrading work on the Tudan substation, which serves as a major injection point for Miri, along with cable laying works, was completed in May 2017 providing additional capacity and backup to the city's supply.

Prior to its upgrading the substation was heavily loaded which made it susceptible to trippings, causing major outages in the city.

Reinforcing the southern part of Miri is also a key focus area due to the current line performance.

Marudi Junction Transmission substation which is expected to come online by early 2018 will cater to the growing load demand in this part of Miri.

Tan said the operations team has doubled the initiatives to minimise the risk of unplanned interruptions by increasing line patrols and stepping up maintenance and vegetation management at overhead lines.

Nevertheless, he also said other causes of the outages in Miri include excavation works damaging underground cables, copper theft and vandalism to power facilities.

Tan seeks support from members of the public to report to Sarawak Energy Customer Care Centre at 1300-88-3111 or the police should they come across such incidents.