Daily Express Subscriber
Sign in to your account.

NOTEWORTHY strides have been made over the past month to ensure a stable and reliable electricity supply by Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB), particularly in our efforts to guarantee no electricity rationing in Labuan and bolster our energy generation capacity across Sabah.

Ensuring Adequate Electricity Supply in Labuan

In our continuous effort to bolster our energy generation capabilities, SESB has undertaken several essential projects. One of the most impactful initiatives is the rental project involving more than 100 new power generator sets. 

If you recall, I previously stated how these rental gensets, strategically deployed across Labuan, Sandakan, and Lahad Datu, although short term solutions are vital in supplement the sustainability of the Sabah Grid System.

Now the phased implementation of these projects began in February, with the final stages in Labuan finally reaching completion in June. 

The positive impact of these efforts is already apparent. By distributing the generator sets across key locations, we have significantly improved the overall stability and reliability of our power supply network. The generator sets have boosted Labuan’s overall generation capacity to 135 MegaWatts (MW), successfully doubling the region’s peak demand of 70MW. 

This excess capacity is not just a buffer against local supply disruptions but it is also a planned asset that we leverage to support the broader Sabah Grid System. 

Every day, the surplus energy generated in Labuan is exported to Sabah, though not completely eliminating power disruptions in the state, it still boosts the stability and resilience of the grid in both regions.

Progress on Tenom Pangi Hydro Power Plant Recovery Work

Our ongoing efforts to improve power generation capabilities have also extended to substantial recovery and maintenance work at the Tenom Pangi Hydro Power Plant. Recent updates highlight considerable progress, particularly concerning the other two main turbines.

For Hydro Turbine 2 (HT2), the dewatering process has been successfully completed. Our dedicated station workers have begun the critical task of repairing the underwater components, including the liner plates on both the top and bottom. 

This meticulous repair work is vital to ensuring the turbine’s optimal performance and reliability. Once these repairs are finished, we will proceed with the polishing and further repairs of related components. 

Our skilled personnel are working diligently, and we anticipate that these tasks will be completed shortly.

Following the completion of the underwater repairs for HT2, TNB personnel will then continue with the wall re-coating of the underwater parts, under careful monitoring and observation by our station team. This final step is crucial to reinforcing the durability and efficiency of the turbine.

Meanwhile, HT3 is nearing the final phase of its re-operation. The contractor is currently engaged in civil cleaning works, which are progressing according to schedule.

Upon completion of these cleaning tasks, we will move on to the water filling of the waterway system and flushing operations. These preparatory steps are essential before we can conduct the Wet Testing and Commissioning of HT3.

Outage Experience and Assessment of Value in Reliable Service Survey

As we review the recent actions and achievements of SESB, it is clear that while we have made significant strides, there remains much more to be accomplished. 

To ensure that SESB will incessantly improve every aspect of our power supply and service delivery, I invite you to participate in our ongoing survey.

For this, SESB has partnered with DNV Singapore and Total Power Solutions (TOPS) to conduct an in-depth survey. This survey has been ongoing since March 2024 and will continue through to this month of July. 

Its primary goal is to gather wide-ranging insights into your experiences and perspectives regarding power outages and the reliability of our services.

We must identify areas where SESB can make meaningful improvements and address any concerns all consumers may have. 

All feedback is invaluable as it will directly influence our strategies and initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality of our power supply and overall service.

This survey may be found on our official careline page across various social media platforms.

Do not worry and be rest assured that your responses will be completely anonymous. SESB is committed to treating all information with the utmost confidentiality and using it solely for the purpose of improving our services.

The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express.

If you have something to share, write to us at: [email protected]