More IPPs, projects to solve power disruptions
Published on: Thursday, April 17, 2014
Kota Kinabalu: More independent power plants (IPPs) and new projects are coming up to enhance power quality and competency to address frequent power disruptions and lack of power generation in Beaufort and Kota Kinabalu.Deputy Chief Minister-cum-Infrastructure Development Minister Tan Sri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said full operation of these projects would mean better supply and less disruptions."The Ministry was made to understand by Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) that the regular power disruptions in Kota Kinabalu and Beaufort in early April this year was caused by load shedding due to lack of capacity in power generation. Such lack in power generation happens because of damages to several generator sets of Independent Power Plant (IPP) and SESB.ADVERTISEMENT "To minimise impact to consumers, Demand Side Management (DSM) will be activated and the major power users would be asked to use their own generator sets. But if there was still lack of power generation when the DSM has been activated, then load shedding would be carried out," he said.Pairin said this in reply to Klias Assemblyman Datuk Lajim Ukin when winding up for his Ministry at the sitting of the State Legislative Assembly here, Wednesday. Apart from the load shedding, he said other interruptions are also caused by damage found on SESB equipment and switched off power supply with notices for the purpose of maintenance works and to supply power to new users.To address shortage of power generation in Beaufort, two new IPPs - namely IPP Kimanis Power Sdn Bhd (KPSB) and IPP SPR in Kimanis - will be operational this year."IPP SPR that will supply 100MW is expected to be operational by end of this month (April) while KPSB with a capacity of 300MW will begin to supply 100MW from its first block in June this year.ADVERTISEMENT "The second and third blocks with a capacity of 100MW each will begin its operation in August and October this year, respectively. With the operations of all these private IPPs, I am optimistic the power generation problem in Beaufort will be addressed," he said.
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In addition, he said several projects of replacing high voltage cables that are not coated with aerial bundle cable are being carried out to tackle power trips caused by fallen trees, animal and weather conditions. For Kota Kinabalu, Pairin said several projects are being carried out to enhance power quality and reliability of power distribution. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Among them is the new 11 kilovolt (kV) generation from a main intake sub-station (PMU) Lok Kawi to Lok Kawi areas, Putatan, Petagas, and nearby areas. Another new project is supplying more power from PMU Minintod to areas like Donggongon, Bundusan, Luyang, etc.Pairin said the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry together with SESB are also working to further enhance power reliability and quality in supply electricity in Sabah.