Sarawak’s rugged topography and widely dispersed settlements make rural electrification a
formidable challenge.
Traditional grid extension is both technically complex and prohibitively expensive. In 2016, the Sarawak Government, in collaboration with the Federal Government and Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB), launched SARES to address this electrification gap.
At the heart of SARES is solar technology, deployed through two main models: the Centralised Solar Power System (CSPS) and the Solar Home System (SHS).
The CSPS used in most villages features a community based solar farm connected to a centralized battery storage unit inverter housed in a mobile friendly mental clad structure. In extremely remote or scattered settlements, SHS is installed per household, each unit consisting of solar panels, inverter, and batteries.
These systems provide up to 2KWh daily enough to power lights, fan, TVs, freezers, and basic electronics. With battery banks capable of storing up to two days’ worth of electricity, and energy limiters installed to regulate usage, the system guarantees reliability and equitable distribution across households.
Sarawak’s equatorial sunlight ensures a consistent energy supply, with each 1kW system generating roughly 1WMh of electricity annually. Most importantly, communities are involved from start to finish assisting with installation, trained in operations, and tasked with maintenance.
Read more : Scalable, Renewable Solar Energy Systems
