Kapit rural folk finally receive electricity with completion of SARES Phase 2

KUCHING: After more than 30 years of waiting, the dream of dozens of families in the rural areas of Kapit to enjoy electricity has finally come true with the completion of second phase of the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrifiation Scheme (SARES).

Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said that rural areas in Kapit are among the beneficiaries of this project, involving a total of 140 villages and 2,755 houses.

“This project, which began on Oct 22, 2020, and was fully completed on June 21, 2023, is a continuation of the success of SARES Phase

“The project was carried out under the Rural Electricity Supply Program (BELB), Infrastructure Division KKDW, and managed by KKDW’s Technical Division in collaboration with the main contractor, Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB),” she said.

She added that through this project, a solar power generation system was built to provide basic electricity supply, with a maximum limit of 2kWh per day per house.

“Therefore, this project not only ends the long wait of Kapit residents to enjoy electricity but also opens a new chapter in efforts to develop rural areas of Sarawak comprehensively,” she said

She said during the handover ceremony of SARES Phase 2 here, officiated by Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi today (Sept 30).

Rubiah added that with the availability of the electricity supply, the comfort and standard of living of rural residents will be improved, making their daily lives better.

“I believe the implementation of this project can further bridge the gap between urban and rural residents so that they can equally enjoy basic utility facilities.

“My hope is that the implementation of projects like this can create more robust economic opportunities and develop a sustainable society,” she said.

Rubiah also expressed her deepest appreciation to the Utility and Telecommunication Ministry which will take over the responsibility of managing, supervising, and maintaining this project.

For information, the scope of work involved in SARES Phase Two includes the construction of hybrid solar stations, transmission lines to the residents’ homes, and internal wiring of houses, including five light points and four sockets.

Overall, the project has been operational at all sites and needs to be officially handed over to SEB as the State Authority (PBEN) for continuous operations and maintenance (O&M).

Through the implementation of this project, the comfort and socio-economic standard of local residents can be improved with the availability of this basic electricity supply.