Headline Ensuring reliable electricity in , MediaTitle New Tribune Date 07 Aug 2021 Language English Circulation 46,471 Readership 164,773 Section News Page No 6 ArticleSize 143 cm² Journalist N/A PR Value RM 3,009

Ensuring reliable electricity in Sabah, Labuan

KUCHING: People in Sabah and Labuan will soon have access to reliable electricity supply. This is made possible through the interconnection project initiative between Sabah and Sarawak. A power exchange arrange- ment between Sarawak and Sabah took place yesterday that will ensure the delivery of stable and sustainable elec- tricity. Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) and Berhad (TNB) chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said that the project will increase the reliability of the Sabah Grid System. "This ensures the supply of electricity to the people in Sabah including the Federal Territory of Labuan is stable and sustainable. He said this in his speech during the power exchange agreement between SESB and Berhad held yesterday. "Additionally, this initiative will also contribute towards optimising the operating cost of hydro generation sources from Sarawak," he said while describing how the project will contribute towards the efficiency of electricity supply. "The project will also benefit the future of both states in terms of diversifica- tion of generation sources," he added. Mahdzir said the implemen- tation of the Sabah-Sarawak 275kV Interconnection Line Project was approved by the Electricity Supply and Tariff Planning and Implementation Committee and commenced in 2017. "It was implemented with an estimated cost of RM33 million and will be commis- sioned in 2023," he said. The SESB chairman is confi- dent that the close cooperation betweenT:he two states will provide flexibility on the Sabah Grid System's generating capacity to receive any surge in electricity. "This is especially from large-scale investors and consumers with the rapid development taking place in Sabah and S.arawak," he added.