Sabah to face electricity rationing until July

PENAMPANG: The load shedding or rationing of electricity in the state is expected to continue until July, said Sabah Public Works Minister Datuk Shahelmey Yahya.

He said the exercise was deemed necessary due to high demand during hot weather as people turned on their air-conditioners.

Shahelmey, who is also state deputy chief minister, said Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) would deploy additional generator sets to meet the electricity demand.

“For consumers, load shedding will be implemented until July, and we request everyone’s patience.

“However, it will not be a blanket load shedding. The purpose is to maintain grid stability,” he said at the SESB Load Dispatch Centre after a briefing by the utility company’s officials.

SESB said consumers would be notified about the scheduled load shedding for the following day through various channels at 10pm.

The utility company, a subsidiary of peninsula-based Tenaga Nasional Bhd, would be limiting the load-shedding period to a maximum of two hours.

Regarding the power disruption experienced on Tuesday and Wednesday in major districts, the incident was attributed to unforeseen damage to assets in Karambunai and Putatan.

SESB denied there was sabotage involved, but promised to investigate.

The state also urged the Energy Commission to expedite the building of new power plants in the state.

Shahelmey said increasing power capacity was the only viable solution.

“SESB has a long-term plan to enhance the power supply in Sabah, but there have been delays in its implementation. I appeal to the relevant authorities overseeing power generation projects to give them serious attention.

“This is necessary for the benefit of consumers in Sabah and to support regional economic growth,” he said.