Sabah’s electricity shortage critical after power trips

Muguntan Vanar, The Star 24 Nov 09;

KOTA KINABALU: More lights winked out in Sabah after the state’s electricity shortage became even more critical when power tripped unexpectedly at several stations.

This has triggered another round of load shedding, drastically affecting homes and businesses already living with regular brownouts.

Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd said the tripping from independent power plants and its own power stations has forced power generation to drop by about 79MW and was expected to be rectified only by Thursday.

SESB corporate communication manager Chendramata Sinteh said that load shedding had to be implemented as they could not meet the peak demand of 730MW following the drop in the their generation capacity of 756MW.

“With the reduction 79MW, we cannot meet peak demands, she said Tuesday.

She said load shedding would be implemented in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau, Lahad Datu, Keningau, Kunak, Kinabatangan and Penampang.

She said the tripped power stations were being repaired and power would return in stages by Thursday provided no other damages were detected at other power stations.

Sabah’s power shortage remains critical with SESB explaining over the last few years that it was in dire need of a 300MW coal power plant in the east coast of Sabah to replace old diesel generators.

However, the proposal for the coal fired power plant has met with strong resistance from environmental groups and others as they feel that the power utility company should consider other environmentally friendly power generation sources.

The government has agreed to set up the proposed coal fired power plant in Tungku near Lahad Datu in the east coast.

A group “Green Surf” is offering to work with the government to seek other alternative power sources as they say that the proposed site in Dent peninsular was part of the Coral Triangle that is described as one of the world’s important refuges for marine life.