Smart meters are meters that track energy or water usage, sending the information to the providers via radio-frequency waves for monitoring and billing.
Compared to traditional meters, smart meters can read usage more accurately. This benefits the consumers, as they will receive more accurate and prompt bills.
Smart meters also enable consumers to monitor their own energy consumption, which will allow them to track and adjust energy usage to suit their needs accordingly.
This can also improve the environment, as monitoring energy usage in more detail and making smarter energy-saving decisions such as turning off appliances when not in use and changing to more efficient lighting can result in reduced emissions due to decreased power generation.
A pilot project was launched by Sarawak Energy Board (SEB) at Kampung Gita during a mini carnival. Under the pilot project, 1,700 smart meters were installed.
At the end of 2019, about 6,000 smart meters were installed in total covering Tabuan Jaya Baru/Tabuan Laru and Jalan Kempas.
Along with the rollout of smart meters, SEB also launched their mobile app, SEB Cares. The app intends for customers to manage their own electricity usage for more efficiency.
Implementation of smart electric meters is also underway at the Darul Hana housing project as part of Sarawak’s smart township initiative.
Smart meters allow immediate action to be taken when outages occur, alerting the necessary authorities for restoration.
Throughout Malaysia, about nine million smart meter units have been installed by Tenaga Nasional Berhad, with more in planning.
SARES aims to provide 24-hour electricity supply to rural communities (pic 4)
The Sarawak government is committed to serving the people, which is why electrical supply coverage for rural communities has been increased from 88% to 95% in 2020.
Compared to 2009, where only 56% of households in the state had coverage, there are plans to achieve 100% coverage for affordable and sustainable utilities by 2025 to better the lives of the people.
Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (SARES) was launched in 2016 to provide a basic level of service for every household, including those in remote and hard to access villages.
As of this year, a total of 560 villages and over 15 thousand households have been equipped with basic electrical supply.
SARES has also utilised renewable off-grid solutions such as solar and micro-hydro energy to power remote communities.
These remote communities will eventually be connected to the main grid when road access is developed and improved, but in order to provide basic necessities, SARES serves as a reliable system.
