Sabah’s power monopoly, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB), has warned that there is “no quick fix to the state’s long-standing power woes” even though current needs are fairly modest at an average 730 MW.
The public utility, 80 per cent owned by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), finally broke its silence amidst threats of demonstrations and legal suits from long-suffering consumers claiming compensation for endless load-shedding, power rationing, black-outs and power-shortages.
SESB Managing Director Baharin Din puts the immediate blame for the critical power situation on an IPP (Independent Power Producer) whose ARL Power Station experienced serious plant malfunction.
“Power supply generation is a shared responsibility in terms of installed capacity,” disclosed Baharin. “SESB is responsible for 45 per cent or 467 MW and the IPPs 55 per cent or 581 MW.”
Baharin was following up on a special closed door briefing session for MPs and state assemblypersons on Tuesday, organised by TNB and SESB chairman Leo Moggie, at the Le Meridien in Kota Kinabalu.
Also present was TNB CEO Che Khalib Mohd Noh, Deputy Chief Minister Peter Pang and Federal Deputy Minister for Natural Resources and Environment Joseph Kurup.
It is not known what Moggie told the meeting but speculation is rife that he was trying to secretly push for the unpopular coal option in Sandakan, Lahad Datu or Tawau.
Elsewhere, Baharin admitted that aging machines and the failure of major projects to either take off or take off in time as among the major problems that SESB faces.
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