SESB ON POWER SUPPLY INTERRUPTIONS

CONFERENCE ....From left: SESB officials Ir. Abdul Nasser Abdul Wahid, Ir. Abdul Razak Sallim, and Ir. Ahmad Fuad Mohd. Kassim at the Press Conference on Tuesday

By : ELAINE MAH

THE SABAH Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) has taken measures to reduce electricity supply interruptions in the state such as those following the breakdown of a few of its generation sets at an Independent Power Plant (IPP) on the 5th of December 2012.

According to SESB Managing Director Abdul Razak Sallim, Sabah’s Grid Interconnection lost 95 megawatts of its electricity generating capacity as a result of this breakdown. This amounts to approximately one tenth of the state’s overall electricity generating capacity.

He said that SESB has exercised what it calls Demand Side Management (DSM) for Large Power Consumers (LPC) as an initiative to counter the possible power supply interruptions.

“This will directly assist in reducing the load demand in order to stabilize the frequency and avoid load shedding,” he said.

According to Abdul Razak, repairs on the generation sets will take 2 to 3 months.

The enforcement of the DSM at peak demand hours has not been able to fully meet the increasing electricity demand, Abdul Razak cautioned.

“If electricity demand continues to increase, power rationing during peak demand hours will be enforced to ensure the stability of the Grid,” he said.

SESB hopes that the Kubota Power Plant in Tawau, with its ability to generate 64 megawatts, will help reduce the impact of the lack of power generating capacity. The plant is expected to be in operations by January 2013.

With the festive season fast approaching, Abdul Razak advises the public to be prudent in the use of electricity. Consumers are advised to economise on the use of electricity , especially during peak hours at 11am, 3pm and 7pm. (Insight Sabah)