SABAH TODAY

SABAHTODAY
KUALA LUMPUR: The Perikatan Nasional government lacks innovation and must think outside of the box for permanent solution to address Rural Electrification in Sabah especially.

Senator Adrian Lasimbang said despite the fact that access to energy is key to development, many rural communities in Sabah have yet to have access 24 hours electricity supply.

To address the development gap between rural and urban areas, he said the Ministry of Rural Development needs to think outside of the box to find more long-term solutions to the problem.

“I raised the issue when debating the 2021 Supply bill (budget 2021) citing the allocation for Bekalan Elektrik Luar Bandar (BELB) that lacks the details on the implementation and strategy.

“We should emulate Sarawak in implementing the SARES program which has a masterplan in addressing the gaps using Renewable Energy System such as Solar and Micro Hydro power,” Lasimbang said in a statement Wednesday.

He stressed that Sabah does not even have an energy masterplan, thus resulting in very serious problems in electricity access, especially in the rural areas.

Lasimbang, who is also Sabah DAP Sabah Political Education Director also raised the question on why the government has not considered the option of using Mini Grids powered by Renewable Energy to address the last mile communities.

Similar systems have been implemented successfully by other countries like Indonesia and Vietnam, he pointed out.

“Alternative rural electrification programs was one of the major strategies that was outlined by MESTECC to address the needs for rural electrification during the PH administration,” he said.

“Unfortunately, it’s back to business as usual based on the answers given by ministers during the winding of the debate. The ministry is continuing with extending the grid further and further. This approach has been the main reason the supply in rural areas is not stable because of the extended distance in transmission line.”

According to Lasimbang, the ministry also given expensive cost as the main reasons for not considering Mini Grid system or other alternatives to rural electrification.

He added he does not agree to this excuse as there has been successful model and pilot projects that has been implemented in Sabah, saying the community-based Mini Grid such as the system in Kg. Buayan, Penampang that was funded by Shell with collaboration with an NGO recently in 2018 with a budget of RM300,000.

There are so many examples of alternative program for Rural Electrification in Malaysia, said, adding the government need to have the political will to address these issues.

“The lack of innovation and visionary approach by the PN government will upset the people in Sabah especially rural communities that was promised with better development during the recent state elections.