Given by Ir. Dr. Abang Hatta bin Abang Taha The second in our series of workshops designed to gather input from stakeholders involved in existing off-grid projects in Africa, Asia and Latin America. This event is workshop scheduled to be held in Malaysia for the ASEAN countries will be organised by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM) in collaboration with Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).

1. HYBRID SOLUTIONS/RURAL
ELECTRIFICATION
(A Contractor’s Experience)
by
Ir. Dr. Abang Hatta bin Abang Taha
Gabungan Binaan Jurutenaga Sdn Bhd
Workshop On Energy for Off-Grid Villages in South East Asia
27-29 January 2015

2. Electrification of Remote Rural
Schools in Sarawak
• In 2007, we were awarded the contract, by The Ministry of
Education, for the electrification of 62 remote rural schools in
Kapit Division, as a design and build contractor.
• The contract scope covered the design, supply, installation,
testing and commissioning, operation and maintenance of the
gensets, main switchboards, overhead distribution lines,
internal wiring and other ancillaries. The contract also
included the supply and delivery of diesel to the schools to
run the gensets for two years.
• The design for the project was quite straightforward. The
main challenge we faced during implementation was the
logistics, in which the only means of transportation to the
sites was by long boats or by four wheel drives over logging
tracks . This translated into high costs to deliver the
construction materials and equipment and diesel to the sites.
Nevertheless, we managed to complete the construction part
of the contract in ten months.

3. Electrification of Remote Rural
Schools in Sarawak (Cont’d)
• On a positive note, having 24 hour electricity supply enabled
the teachers and students to carry on with their activities in
the evenings. It also improved security and safety as well as
the overall comfort for them. The negative part would be that
it was an extremely expensive exercise due to high costs of
transportation
All in all, the teachers and students have benefited from the
project. However, the benefits are somewhat negated by the
deplorable physical condition of the school buildings, with
some practically on the verge of collapsing.
• So, maybe it's time to look into replacing the dilapidated
schools with 'fit for purpose' buildings powered by Solar
Hybrid Systems.

4. Rural Electrification of Villages
via SEB Grid Extension
• Other projects that we undertook as a design and build
contractor were the electrification of rural villages and
longhouses via SEB grid extension, awarded by the
Ministry of Rural and Regional Development.
• The contract scope included the design, supply,
installation, testing and commissioning and handover to
SEB the 33kV, 11kV, 415V overhead lines and aerial
cables, service lines, sub stations and other ancillary
equipment.
• Implementation activities included carrying out
consumer surveys, preparation of the scheme
proposals, getting approvals for the schemes by SEB,
pole pegging, application of wayleave, construction,
inspection, testing and commissioning and handing
over to SEB.

5. Rural Electrification of Villages
via SEB Grid Extension (Cont’d)
• Working very closely with SEB, we were able to clear technical
issues very quickly and completed our projects on time.
Problems encountered include the villager's refusal to allow
the overhead lines passing through their land and arguments
over the quantum of compensation for fruit trees that need to
be cut down.
• When villagers stubbornly refuse access through their land,
we sometimes have no choice but to abandon the project at
that site and carry out the project at another location. When
negotiating tree compensation, be ready with cash, a simple
written agreement and a chain saw. Once agreed, pay in cash,
sign the agreement and chop the trees.
• Generally, the villagers were cooperative and appreciative
when they receive their electricity supply. However, there are
some who had previously experienced projects that were
abandoned or delayed; these people would be the ones who
tend to be sceptical when initially informed of the new
projects.

6. Electrification of Off-Grid Villages
using Solar Hybrid System
• We were also involved with the first phase of the project for
the Electrification of Off Grid Rural Villages using Solar Hybrid
Systems. Our involvement was as the design consultant for
the contractor awarded the contract by the Ministry of Rural
and Regional Development.
• Solar Hybrid System consists of PV modules, battery and
gensets as the key components, together with the BOS
(balance of system) comprising the inverters, chargers, charge
controllers, power distribution panels, protection devices and
control and monitoring system.
• In conjunction with SEB, we worked out the approved scheme
design to be used by the contractor to construct the
installations.
• Unfortunately, due to reasons best known to the contractor,
the installation works are long delayed. I understand that so
far, none of the projects have been handed over to SEB.

7. THANK YOU