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Aye to Bakun HEP takeover by S’wak

MIRI: The federal government has agreed to negotiate the proposed takeover of Bakun Hydroelectric Dam by Sarawak. Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui   Without disclosing the price, the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui said the federal cabinet has agreed in principle to negotiate the pricing based on construction cost. “The dam which is owned by the Ministry of Finance will be purchased and taken over by Sarawak Energy Berhad,” he said in a press conference before a meet-the-people session at Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) headquarters here yesterday. Chin who is also Miri MP said the proposed undersea cable project would be moth-balled pending the supply of sufficient power to meet demand in Sarawak. The undersea cable project was initially for channelling 1,600 megawatt to Peninsular Malaysia to help to lower dependency on fossil fuel which currently stands at 90 per cent. With power from Bakun off the plan, the ministry has decided to build two 1,000-megawatt charcoal-fired power plants — one at Manjung, Perak, and the other to be decided later. For the Manjung plant, the ministry planned to apportion the power supply to Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). Sarawak is keen to take over Bakun Dam for its energy-intensive industries in Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), including its aluminium smelting plants and other industries. There has been unconfirmed reports that Sarawak is keen to take over Bakun HEP for RM6 billion but the federal government has offered it for RM8 billion. Chin is keeping mum on the actual figure pending the conclusion of the relevant negotiations. Currently, Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) is mulling over the idea of whether to buy or lease Bakun Dam in a long-term bid to develop the state’s hydropower and industrial sector. SEB is looking forward to reaching an agreement with Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd (the owner of the dam). Sarawak Hidro is owned by the Ministry of Finance. After a series of delays, the project which started in 1996 is expected to be commissioned by last July following the start of impoundment of the reservoir. The 215-metre dam will power eight turbines. http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=72600

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Cost-benefit analysis done before building dams — Awg Tengah

The state always take into account cost-benefit analysis in the development of hydropower dams, said Public Utilities Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan. He told the State Legislative Assembly yesterday that such analysis was undertaken by the project proponent during the pre-feasibility and feasibility stages. Awang Tengah, who is also Second Minister of Resource Planning and Environment Minister, said the studies formed part of a prudent financial investment decision-making process, and that under normal circumstances it was not a business practice to make cost-benefit analysis public. “The development of hydro dams can take about eight to 10 years from the initial stage to their completion and commissioning. “Therefore, the state had taken a closer look at a number of potential sites for this purpose. There is a need to conduct detailed feasibility and engineering studies to determine if these potential sites are suitable for construction. “Currently there are nine potential sites being studied. However, only those hydropower dams found to be feasible will be developed based on demand, not only to meet the immediate needs but also future projected growth,” he told See Chee How (PKR-Batu Lintang). To a question by Chiew Chiu Sing (DAP-Kidurong), who wanted to know how many dams would be enough to stimulate the state’s economic growth, Awang Tengah said apart from feasibility studies and environmental factors, the number of projects would be based on current and future demands of investors, while taking into account the cost of production. Chong Chieng Jen (DAP-Kota Sentosa) then sought a point of clarification by questioning how the state determined the pricing and the optimal number of dams needed to ensure the government does not over-built dams and sell power at very cheap prices. Chong asked: “There are demands, but demands are determined by prices. If the government intended to sell electricity cheaply, at 10 to 11 cent kWh (per kilowatt per hour), then the demand will be overwhelming. “When the demand is so overwhelming, then the state would have to build more dams. There will be overwhelming of dams in the whole of Sarawak. So, how are you going to determine the right pricing to achieve equilibrium and not too cheaply so that there would not be an overwhelming demand?” Awang Tengah explained that the cost of production would determine the sale of electricity to investors. He stressed that most of investors, especially in SCORE area, were consuming electricity based on the “take or pay” principal. The state determined the rate based on these two factors, he said. “Even if these investors do not use the electricity, they still have to pay while also being subjected to escalating rate.” Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/05/28/cost-benefit-analysis-done-before-building-dams-awg-tengah/#ixzz2UpNT56HW

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Treated water supply coverage to reach 90 per cent of rural areas by end of this year

T he rural treated water supply coverage is expected to increase from the present 78 per cent to 90 per cent by the end of this year, benefiting 64,000 more households. Public Utilities Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said the government has made considerable achievement in the implementation of water supply projects under the National Key Result Areas (NKRA) programme. Awang Tengah added the programme is progressing well, benefiting 25,000 households last year. Awang Tengah, who is also Resource Planning and Environment Minister II, mentioned that the state has been allocated RM1.75 billion to implement rural water supply projects (BALB) under the NKRA programme. “Out of 476 projects, 446 projects have been completed when compared to 311 as reported in the last DUN sitting last November. “The remaining 30 are now at various stages of implementation,” the Bukit Sari assemblyman said when delivering his winding-up speech at the DUN sitting here yesterday. In addition, he highlighted that 51,000 water tanks had been distributed to the rural population. Responding to a question raised by Ting Tze Fui (DAP-Meradong), Awang Tengah said a total of RM1.75 billion had been allocated for rural water supply projects throughout the state and to date, the government had spent about RM1.5 billion (88 per cent) of the allocation. To a question raised by Paulus Palu Gumbang (BN-Batu Danau), he mentioned that proposals had been put up under the GTP 2.0 for the extension of water supply to the areas along Jalan Kubong/Panganan and Jalan Meritam at an estimated cost of RM5.5 million. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/05/28/treated-water-supply-coverage-to-reach-90-per-cent-of-rural-areas-by-end-of-this-year/#ixzz2UpPDv4JW

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24-door longhouse to get micro hydro project

A 5 kilowatt (kW) turbine would be installed to generate sufficient power to light up the longhouse. Resident Ajit Asun, 55, is looking forward to the brighter days ahead. “I hope this micro hydro project will solve our electricity woes. Right now we use generator set, but the cost of diesel is very expensive and so is the transport of fuel,” he said. Work on the RM120,000 joint project is scheduled to begin after Gawai and expected to be completed in six to 10 months. Yesterday, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by residents of the 24-door longhouse and the Rotary Club of Kuching. Tuai Rumah Mejang Sadan represented the longhouse, while the club was represented by secretary Ann Panai and grant chairman Rotary District 2210 Patrick Panai. Assistant Minister in the Chief Minister’s Office Larry Sng witnessed the signing ceremony. http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=112412

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Longhouse folk receive water tanks

BINTULU: Seventy-three families from four longhouses here have received 32 water tanks from Hormat Pasifik Sdn Bhd and Grand Perfect Sdn Bhd. These longhouses are Lunsa, Ansingan, To and Jemat. The water tanks with a capacity of 400 gallons each are part of the companies’ community projects to reach out to rural folk. Hormat Pasifik and Grand Perfect are subsidiary companies of the KTS Group. http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=112396

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RES to cover 82.1 per cent of rural areas this year

The state is targeting to expand its rural electric scheme (RES) to cover about 10,740 households this year, increasing rural coverage to 82.1 per cent. When delivering his winding-up speech at the DUN sitting here yesterday, Public Utilities Minister Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said a total of RM350 million had been allocated for the implementation of RES projects in the 2012-2014 period under the GTP 2.0 programme, besides the additional amount of RM450 million for 2013-2015.   He added that under the National Key Result Area (NKRA) programme, a total of RM1.4 billion was allocated for the implementation of 827 RES projects to benefit some 43,000 households in 2009-2012. He also said at the end of 2012, 663 projects had been completed with the remaining under various stages of implementation. Since the beginning of the NKRA programme, the number of rural houses connected to the electricity supply grid was 32,696, he disclosed, increasing the coverage to 78.2 per cent of rural areas. “Among the challenges to implement RES projects were lack of access to villages and longhouses, land compensation, access permission and other technical problems. Efforts will continue to be taken to overcome these problems to ensure that projects would be successfully implemented,” continued Awang Tengah, who is also Resource Planning and Environment Minister II. Responding to a question raised by Ting Tze Fui (DAP-Meradong) on longhouses without electricity connection, the Bukit Sari assemblyman said 40 longhouses in Meradong and 27 in Sarikei district were yet to be supplied with electricity. In regards to frequent power failures in Meradong, Awang Tengah mentioned that Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) was implementing a project costing RM2.2 million to improve power reliability by constructing a new power line to Bintangor within 14 months. On solar power projects raised by Baru Bian (PKR-Ba Kelalan), he said the solar hybrid at Long Sukang and Long Semadoh under Phase I were among the first few projects implemented in the state and had experienced several challenging issues such as logistics, terrain and access due to their remoteness. “The installation of both these projects is progressing with the testing and commissioning expected to be carried out for Long Semadoh at the end of this year and followed by Long Sukang. “Besides solar hybrid sources, micro-hydro is also being explored as viable source of energy for rural electrification. However, micro-hydro projects are highly site specific and often, the distance between the village and mini hydro site poses challenges in implementing the project. “Most mini hydro projects, unlike large hydro dams with adequate reservoir size, will not be reliable to generate electricity supply continuously and require supplementary alternative sources such as solar, wind and diesel during the dry months,” he explained further. Read more:  http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/05/28/res-to-cover-82-1-per-cent-of-rural-areas-this-year/#ixzz2UpSjWq1I

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RM235 juta untuk pelaksanaan pelbagai projek di Song: Shafie

SONG: Kerajaan telah memperuntukkan RM235 juta kepada Song (Katibas) di bawah Bidang Keberhasilan Utama Negara (NKRA) untuk pelaksanaan pelbagai jenis projek di sini. Menteri Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal berkata hanya kerajaan pimpinan Barisan Nasional (BN) yang mampu melaksanakaan pembangunan secara berperingkat-peringkat kepada penduduk di luar bandar seperti daerah Song. “Kita (BN) berjanji dan kita menepati janji kita. Kebanyakan projek pembangunan ini masih di peringkat pelaksanaan. “Kita tidak pernah memberikan janji kosong kepada rakyat seperti yang didakwa oleh pihak pembangkang,” katanya ketika merasmikan Majlis Pelancaran Projek Membina dan Menyiapkan Jalan Song-Sipan/SK Temalat di Balai Raya Song, di sini semalam. Hadir sama Ahli Parlimen Kapit Datuk Alexander Nanta Linggi, calon BN DUN N.55 Katibas Datuk Ambrose Blikau Enturan dan isteri beliau Datin Marie Theresa. Shafie berkata kerajaan sentiasa prihatin dan memahami masalah yang dihadapi oleh penduduk luar bandar seperti di Sabah dan Sarawak. “Tetapi kita harus faham, keadaan logistik di sini adalah punca mengapa kita tidak dapat mempercepatkan projek-projek pembangunan di sini. Pelbagai aspek perlu dikaji dan diambil kira sebelum pelaksanaan pembangunan dilakukan. “Malah, masalah pengangkutan juga menjadi penyebab kenapa kita tidak dapat mempercepatkan pembangunan di sini. Kita memerlukan masa yang agak lama untuk membawa bahab-bahan binaan ke sini,” katanya. Beliau juga menyeru agar rakyat di luar bandar sabar menunggu pelaksanaan semua projek pembangunan yang telah dijanjikan oleh kerajaan. “Di Katibas ini, kerajaan telah membelanjakan sebanyak RM 1.1 juta untuk projek bekalan air di mana tujuh daripadanya telah siap dan sebanyak 55 rumah panjang telah menerima bekalan elektrik di bawah Rural Electricity Supply (RES) yang menelan belanja sebanyak RM1.6 juta,” katanya. Dalam pada itu, beliau turut menasihati para penduduk setempat agar sentiasa mengekalkan keharmonian serta semangat perpaduan yang telah wujud di kalangan penduduk setempat. “Kejayaan utama Malaysia ialah bukan sekadar membawa kemajuan dari segi infrastruktur untuk rakyat, malah kita di sini berjaya mengekalkan perpaduan serta keharmonian hidup walaupun terdiri daripada masyarakat berbilang kaum. “Adalah penting untuk kita mengekalkan semangat perpaduan yang telah wujud dalam kehidupan seharian kita pada masa ini untuk kebaikan generasi masa akan datang. Dan sokonglah calon BN, yang merupakan jambatan di antara rakyat dengan  kerajaan bagi membolehkan kerajaan terus menyalurkan lebih banyak pembangunan di sini,” katanya. Beliau turut merasmikan majlis pecah tanah untuk Jalan Song-Sipan/ SK Temalat yang terletak berdekatan dengan  Balai Bomba Song di Jalan Sungai Chapi. Turut hadir Ahli Parlimen Putatan Datuk Marcos M. Mojigoh, Timbalan Residen Selamat Jati Yanjah, Timbalan Walikota Kaunselor Jefferson Jamit, Temenggung Datuk Kenneth Kanyan dan Pegawai Daerah Song Galong Luang. http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=118225

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Kerajaan umum RM2.4 juta bagi projek bekalan elektrik di Nanga Tanyit, Sekuau

SELANGAU: Menteri Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah Dato Sri Mohd Shafie Apdal kelmarin telah membawa berita gembira kepada penduduk di Nanga Tanyit, Sekuau dengan pengumuman RM2.4 juta untuk projek menyediakan bekalan elektrik. Projek itu, ujar beliau akan dilaksanakan pada tahun ini dalam usaha kerajaan membantu penduduk luar bandar menikmati bekalan elektrik. “Kementerian Luar Bandar dan Wilayah (KKLW) telah memperuntukkan RM2.4 juta untuk pelaksanaan projek bekalan elektrik menghubungkan Rumah James Medan, Rumah Ngelambai dan Rumah Minggu,” jelasnya. Shafie berkata demikian ketika menyempurnakan Program Mesra Bersama Rakyat yang berlangsung di Rumah James Medan, Nanga Tanyit, Batang Oya, petang kelmarin. Selain itu, 20 tangki air akan diagihkan kepada 57 pintu Rumah James Medan dalam masa terdekat, selain mengkaji alternatif terbaik untuk menyediakan bekalan air kepada penduduk di situ. Shafie menyifatkan pencapaian terbaik yang dikecapi negara Malaysia adalah disebabkan faktor perpaduan masyarakat berbilang bangsa dan kestabilan politik. “Rakyat kita dapat bersatu di bawah satu bumbung. Kerajaan mengamalkan pengurusan pentadbiran yang seimbang serta perkongsian kuasa yang adil,” tegas beliau. Naib Presiden UMNO itu turut menyeru rakyat negeri ini agar tidak tersalah memilih wakil rakyat yang mampu membela nasib rakyat dalam Pilihan Raya Dewan Undangan Negeri Sarawak Ke-10 pada 16 April ini. Katanya lagi, Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak sentiasa mengikuti susulan projek pembangunan rakyat bagi memastikan pembangunan dan kemajuan dinikmati oleh rakyat. “Oleh itu, penting bagi penduduk di Sarawak untuk membuat pilihan yang tepat terhadap pemilihan wakil rakyat mereka pada pilihan raya kali ini,” ujarnya. Hadir sama ialah Timbalan Menteri Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun dan Timbalan Ketua Setiausaha Kemajuan Luar Bandar dan Wilayah Datuk Yusof Dohab. http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=118221

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Beli elektrik bukan beli empangan

Perjanjian pembelian tenaga elektrik daripada Bakun sedang dirangka MIRI: Kerajaan persekutuan dan kerajaan negeri kini sedang merangka perjanjian pembelian tenaga elektrik daripada Empangan Hidroelektrik Bakun, kata Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. Beliau memberitahu, kerajaan negeri mahu membeli empangan berkenaan daripada kerajaan persekutuan bagi memenuhi keperluan negeri dan permintaan tenaga khususnya Koridor Tenaga Diperbaharui Sarawak (SCORE). “Namun daripada menjual Bakun, kerajaan akan menjual tenaga yang dihasilkan oleh empangan kepada Sarawak,” katanya pada Majlis Bersama Pemimpin di Koridor Pelancongan, Jalan North Yu Seng malam kelmarin. Menurutnya, SCORE merupakan projek berskala besar dan masa depan kepada pembangunan negeri ini. “Tenaga yang murah dan mencukupi diperlukan bagi memastikan pembangunan industri berat besar-besaran dapat dibangunkan dengan pesat. “Pada masa yang sama ia menyediakan peluang pekerjaan kepada rakyat,” katanya. Beliau menambah kata, projek itu akan menarik lebih ramai pelabur khususnya dari luar untuk sama-sama melabur di sini seterusnya sama-sama membangunkan Sarawak. Menurut Najib, cadangan berhubung penjualan dan pembelian tenaga oleh Sarawak itu telah dipersetujui oleh Ketua Menteri Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud. “Langkah kerajaan persekutuan menjual tenaga elektrik kepada Sarawak lebih murah berbanding jika Sarawak membeli empangan itu daripada persekutuan,” katanya. Sementara itu ribuan warga Miri membanjiri Jalan North Yu Seng malam kelmarin bagi melihat wajah pemimpin nombor satu negara itu lebih dekat. Hadir sama Menteri Tenaga,Teknologi Hijau dan Air Datuk Seri Peter Chin, calon BN Piasau Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Dr George Chan, calon BN Pujut Andy Chia, calon BN Senadin Datuk Lee Kim Shin, calon BN Lambir Ripin Lamat dan calon Bekenu Rosey Yunus. http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=121488

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Sebanyak 14 buah rumah panjang di Saeh mulai nikmati bekalan elektrik

SAEH NIAH: Sejumlah 14 buah rumah panjang di Saeh telah mula menikmati bekalan elektrik berikutan dengan siapnya projek Bekalan Elektrik Luar Bandar (BELB) yang dilaksanakan dengan kos pembinaan bernilai RM5,914,988.80. Calon kerusi Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) N.61 Bekenu, Rosey Yunus berkata projek elektrik berkenaan telah memberi banyak manfaat kepada 296 konsumer dengan purata kos RM19, 983.07 untuk setiap konsumer. “Ini adalah komitmen kerajaan Barisan Nasional (BN) kepada rakyat. Ini juga menunjukkan bahawa kita (BN) sentiasa mengambil berat terhadap kebajikan dan keperluan rakyat,” katanya kepada media selepas majlis perasmian Bekalan Elektrik Luar Bandar (BELB) dan majlis Rakyat Bersama Pemimpin di Rumah Mentali, Saeh, Niah semalam. 14 buah rumah panjang yang mula menikmati bekalan elektrik berkenaan ialah Rumah Chermi Jelin, Rumah Suring Liang, Rumah Linan Jalak, Rumah Lucas Muling, Rumah Limbang Kaiyang, Rumah Mentali Gesa, Rumah Sikun Ebit, Rumah Danggang Tubai, Rumah Ayai Awing, Rumah Anyai Liau, Rumah Lagan Mungkun, Rumah Philip Gindi, Rumah Mat Burai dan Rumah Jalani Mambang. Menurutnya, projek tersebut merupakan salah satu usaha kerajaan untuk membangunkan kawasan terbabit bagi menikmati kemudahan asas yang disediakan. “Selain itu, penduduk di sini turut akan menikmati bekalan air bersih dan projek berkenaan (bekalan air) masih dalam proses. “Paip telah pun  disambung hampir di seluruh kawasan di sini dan kita berharap projek ini akan siap sepenuhnya pada petengahan tahun ini,” katanya. Kata beliau lagi, penduduk Saeh turut akan menikmati kemudahan jalan raya yang sempurna pada petengahan tahun ini memandangkan jalan ketika ini perlu dinaik taraf termasuk ditar untuk keselesaan penduduk kawasan terbabit. “Ini merupakan usaha kita dalam projek Jiwa Murni untuk menaik taraf jalan raya tersebut. Kos untuk projek ini adalah bernilai RM14 juta. “Jalan raya yang sepanjang 16 kilometer ini juga akan merangkumi jalan-jalan  ke kawasan rumah panjang,” tambahnya. http://www.theborneopost.com/?p=118925