Until August last year, the residents of two villages, Kampung Tanjung Batu Laut and Kampung Tanjung Batu Darat, were largely dependent on individual diesel generators for their power needs.
In most cases, the generators are only operational for six to eight hours and they were primarily used in the evenings by the settlement of 127 houses.
For many long-time residents, it was a disheartening sight to see electric lights emitting from the heart of Sandakan town, which is just a 20-minute boat ride away.
With the completion of a solar hybrid system, these villages now enjoy continuous electricity supply.
The key components of the system include a solar farm, a battery storage facility and a diesel generator.
During the day, energy derived from the solar panel is generated and distributed.
If there is no solar source, the diesel generator takes over to provide the energy needs. The ratio between the renewable energy and diesel is 50:50.
Upon its completion, the system is handed over to Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd for operations and maintenance.
Previously, residents have been dependent on individual diesel generators. This method requires regular maintenance and fuel supply, which can be a costly bane for many residents.
Resident Kulaling Lakibol said living conditions was much improved with the solar hybrid system.
“The supply is consistent and the rate is much cheaper with individual meters,” he said.
He added that many residents now own electrical items such as televisions, refrigerators and washing machines.
The solar hybrid system is an alternative solution in providing electricity supply to areas where the grid connection is not easily available. Typically, this option is utilised for mountainous landscapes, islands, or areas deep in the interior.
The two villages are amongst the 27,209 households connected with 24-hour electricity supply as part of the GTP implementation last year.
This year, the target is to provide additional 26,882 households with round-the-clock electricity supply.
The rural electricity programmes are part of the Rural Basic Infrastructure NKRA, which is coordinated by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry, which includes building & upgrading of rural roads, rural water supply, and housing assistance programme.
