Electricity Shortage to Reach Crisis Level in 3 Years

KOTA KINABALU: Businesses are worried about electricity shortage which is expected to reach crisis level in three years, Sabah United Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Datuk Seri Sari Nuar Tan said.

“Without electricity, how are we going to build more infrastructure?

“How are we going to invite foreign investors and how are we going to build hotels for tourists?

“Electricity shortage is a problem that we have been facing for a long time and we have been asking the government to solve it.”

He said each time there was a disruption, even for 10 minutes, businesses would call him to complain, and, more often than not, blame the government.

Sari said Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) recently organised a dialogue with about 200 members of the Federation of Chinese Associations in Sabah, which he heads, to explain why a 300mW coal- fired plant was needed in the east coast of the state.

He said the dialogue was to explain that the technology used for the plant was clean and to provide a scenario about what a shortage would entail in the future.

Sari said he read the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report done for the construction of a coal-fired plant in Silam, Lahad Datu.

It has since been called off due to its proximity to eco- sensitive sites.

“The EIA report was prepared by 17 experts and involved 32 agencies. It is so thick and I am convinced that the coal-fired plant uses clean technology.

“The study was done properly. Maybe, many people in Sabah did not get the correct information when the matter was brought up.

“I have given copies to all members in the Federation of Chinese Associations in Sabah, and they will give me their feedback soon. So far, they have been positive.

“I will also be writing to the chief minister to state that we want a plant to be constructed in the east coast.”

He said the electricity demand would only grow stronger as consumers needed power for air-conditioners and other household appliances.

He also said power was needed by hospitals and schools, a matter that many had forgotten in the debate about whether Sabah should go for a coal-fired plant.

Sari said he was convinced that the coal-fired plant would not pollute the environment as every measure had been taken to reduce negative impacts.

On May 29, a briefing to justify the need for a coal-fired plant turned into a forum to protest the move, with Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Masidi Manjun promising that another meeting would be organised soon.

The session also heard fears that the Class One-protected Maliau Basin would eventually be mined for its coal deposits should supply from Indonesia run out.

The state government has said it would stick with its decision to not allow a coal-fired plant at the original proposed site, but that it would have to hear the viability of a similar plant in other areas in the east coast.

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