Sarawak plans to export power via proposed Trans-Borneo grid

BY JACK WONG

KUCHING: Sarawak is set to export electricity to neighbouring countries with the development of the proposed Trans-Borneo power grid interconnection project. 

The project, which will involve power utilities in Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei and west Kalimantan, Indonesia, will entail the construction of 1,300km of transmission lines and several power substations. 

Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam said a study on the project and an energy market model had confirmed that the project was technically feasible and economically attractive in meeting the power needs of Borneo. 

“The time is ripe for the implementation of the project as the essential conditions are favourable,” he added when opening the Trans-Borneo Interconnection Co-ordination Committee’s third meeting at Kuching Hilton yesterday. 

A technical workshop to discuss the project was held here on Wednesday. 

Dr Chan, also Sarawak Electricity and Supply Corporation (Sesco) chairman, said Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei and Indonesia had planned for their own internal transmission links which would facilitate interconnections by 2008. 

He said the Trans-Borneo power grid would tap on the electricity generated from the Bakun hydroelectric dam, which was expected to come on stream by 2008. 

“With the Sesco power grid stretching from Miri to Kuching, it will not be too difficult a task to interconnect neighbouring grids in order to utilise the hydropower from Sarawak. 

“We can offer Sarawak’s assistance through Sesco in engineering studies, design and construction activities towards the realisation of these interconnections,” he said. 

Dr Chan said the building of the Trans-Borneo power grid could result in mutual economic and technical advantages through competitive energy costs and increased power system reliability and security. 

He said the present combined power demand in Borneo was 1,800MW, and this was expected to go up to 2,700MW and 5,700MW by 2008 and 2020 respectively. 

If a proposed smelter plant in Bintulu was built, it would demand another 900MW, he said. 

Dr Chan said that if there was a need, Sarawak could construct more hydroelectric dams as a study 20 years ago had revealed that the state had the potential to generate 20,000MW of hydropower in the Rejang basin in central Sarawak. 

The Bakun project is capable of producing 2,400MW.