Significant progress in electricity supply performance

4 September 2024

LAHAD DATU: The Southeast Zone of Sabah has made remarkable strides in electricity supply, showcasing a commendable performance with a double-digit record in the System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI).

Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau, Chairman of Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB), highlighted that this zone—comprising Lahad Datu, Kota Kinabatangan, and Semporna—has experienced a substantial reduction in service disruptions over the past three years.

“This year, Lahad Datu recorded a SAIDI of 42.77 minutes per customer, a significant improvement from 106.77 minutes in 2022 and 104.51 minutes in 2023. Notably, certain areas, such as the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC), achieved an impressive single-digit SAIDI of under 10 minutes per customer annually,” he stated during a four-day working visit to SESB’s Southeast and South Zones.

In Kota Kinabatangan, the SAIDI for this year stands at 53.23 minutes per customer, reflecting a marked improvement from previous years, where it recorded 94.15 minutes in 2022 and 169.75 minutes in 2023.

Similarly, Kunak has seen a dramatic decrease in electricity interruptions, with a SAIDI of 30.17 minutes per customer this year, down from 66.57 minutes in 2022 and 75.78 minutes last year.

Madius noted that the performance of these three districts in the Southeast Zone aligns closely with electricity supply rates in Peninsular Malaysia, which recorded SAIDI figures of 46.10 minutes per customer in 2023 and 45.06 minutes in 2022.

“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all SESB staff in the Southeast Zone for this achievement. This progress is a testament to their tireless efforts and dedication,” he affirmed.

Madius also addressed some challenges contributing to electricity interruptions, including illegal connections that cause damage due to conductor overloads and vegetation interference with uncoated cables.

“In the Southeast Zone, 60 percent of SAIDI disruptions are attributed to electricity theft. I inspected a squatter settlement in Kampung Puyut, Lahad Datu, and subsequently filed a police report to facilitate an investigation into the matter,” he added.

“We urge the authorities to take swift action to investigate, apprehend, and prosecute those involved in these criminal activities,” Madius concluded.