Several locations identified for mini-hydro projects
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) has identified a few locations between Sabah and Sarawak for mini-hydro projects to ease the electricity shortage problem in the state.Its deputy chairman, Datuk Bung Moktar Radin, said the spots identified were the hilly areas between Sipitang and Lawas.
Bung Moktar disclosed this when breaking of fast with members of the mass media here last night.
“A hydro plant must be built with fast flowing waters and rivers located on high grounds are most suitable for this type of electricity generation plant. Kinabatangan has the water density but it is not fast flowing, so it is not suitable for a hydro plant,” he said.
“So we have identified areas like Liwagu and Upper Padas as well as between Sipitang and Lawas for mini-hydros and we will be forwarding proposals to the government,” he said.
The Kinabatangan member of parliament said this when asked for SESB’s next course of action following the Detailed Environment Impact Assessment (DEIA) report on the proposed coal-fired plant in Lahad datu.
The DEIA rejected the proposal as the coal-fired plant would be detrimental to the environment in the proposed location.
Bung Moktar pointed out that after the DEIA was rejected, it became a challenge for SESB to find other alternatives to resolve the electricity problem in the state.
Building a mini-hydro was one of the alternatives which could resolve shortage of power in Sabah, especially in the east coast.
He added that at the same time, SESB was also considering and studying a proposal from a Japanese firm which was interested to provide the utility company with a battery system that could be used to regulate the existing electricity supply.
“The product has a life span of about 20 years and SESB as well as the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry are looking into it,” he said.
On the proposed coal-fired plant in Lahad datu, Bung Moktar pointed out that initially, the project was met by protests from non-governmental organisations and the public.
Finally, the project had to to scrapped because of the DEIA, so the government and SESB had to accept the decision which meant that SESB must find other alternatives so that the people of Sabah could enjoy uninterrupted electricity supply without harming the environment, he stressed.
September 2, 2010, Thursday
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