Ranau ends relying on diesel for its electricity
Published on: Monday, January 15, 2024
By: Clarence Dol
Masidi accepting a souvenir from Madius while others look on.
RANAU: Thousands of residents in this district get to enjoy better electricity supply with the official launch of the Lingkudou 33/11Kv Main Distribution Substation (PPU), last Saturday.
The official launch by State Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun was witnessed by Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) officials, Ranau MP Datuk Jonathan Yasin, Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister, Datuk Abidin Madingkir and Nominated Assemblywoman, Datuk Amisah Yassin.
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Masidi thanked all involved in ensuring the Lingkudau PPU project is implemented.
“The construction of Lingkudou PPU has a very high impact on the local population because it aims to provide a more reliable and stable electricity supply.
“Supply of electricity to Ranau is through the grid and no longer depends on the power station that uses diesel. The construction will aid future development in Ranau,” he said.
Masidi, who is also Karanaan Assemblyman, said it was one of the high impact projects.
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He said the State Government would continue to ensure that the people receive sufficient, reliable, efficient, affordable and safe electricity supply.
“Since the State government has enacted its own electricity supply enactment, it is important for us to ensure that the governance of electricity supply in Sabah is more open, fair and responsible.
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“I hope SESB will grow further under the new regulation starting in January 2024. As the main electricity supplier in Sabah, SESB plays an important role in ensuring a reliable and affordable electricity supply,” he said.
SESB Chairman, Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau, said the PPU building that was inaugurated in the ceremony would give a new shift to the electricity supply system in Ranau which previously depended on diesel generators.
“Maybe some of us don’t know that this district was not been connected to the grid for decades.
“With the construction and operation of this PPU, the process of connecting the electricity supply line in Ranau to Sabah Grid can now begin to be implemented in stages,” he said, adding that construction of the Lingkudau PPU project was started in December 2020 with an allocation of RM30 million.
“The project involving the construction of a two-storey building on 0.766 acres has passed the expected completion date of June 22, 2022.
“The construction period was then extended for 12 months. Thanks to the Sabah Electricity Supply Special Project Team (PPKBES) as the project supervisor, this PPU is finally ready and was commissioned on Jan 10, 2024,” he said.
He added that for the time being, the electricity line is connected to the Grid through the Kota Belud Main Input Substation (PMU) to the Lingkudau PPU through a 33kV interim line.
This interim line, he said, would continue to provide energy until PMU Ranau is completed in September 2025.
“We know there are past decisions that have resulted in us now reaping the results. Either way, for me, what’s bygones is bygones. It is important that whatever previous mistakes are not repeated.
“SESB will continue to work as a catalyst for the economic generator of the state of Sabah, especially through the Sabah Maju Jaya agenda, further fulfilling its role as a developer and supplier of electricity for Sabah and also the Federal Territory of Labuan,” he said.
Also present were Dato’ Abdul Razak Abdul Majib, Chairman of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), Chief Executive Officer of SESB, Ir Ts Mohd Yaakob Hj Jaafar, Director of PPKBES Sabah, Ir Ismail Bin Hashim, among others.
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