Sares fulfils dream of families in rural Kapit to enjoy power supply

KUCHING (Oct 1): After waiting for over 30 years, the dream of dozens of families in rural Kapit to enjoy electricity supply has finally come true with the completion of Phase 2 of the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (Sares).

Deputy Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Rubiah Wang said the project, which involves 140 villages across various districts including Kapit, has benefitted a total of 2,755 homes.

She noted the project, which began on Oct 22, 2020, and was fully completed on June 21 last year, and is a continuation of the success of the first phase of Sares.

“Through this project, a solar power generation system has been established to provide electricity for basic usage, subject to a maximum limit of 2kWh per day for each household.

“In this regard, this project not only ends the long wait for the people of Kapit to enjoy electricity supply, but also opens a new chapter in efforts to advance the rural areas of Sarawak as a whole,” she said at the handover ceremony for the Sares Phase 2 project here yesterday.

Among those present was Utility and Telecommunication Minister Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi.

Rubiah said with the availability of electricity supply, the comfort and living standards of rural residents will be improved.

“I believe the implementation of this project will further bridge the gap between urban and rural residents so that they can also enjoy these basic utility services,” she said.

She also said that state utility arm Sarawak Energy will be responsible for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the Sares project.