THE Sarawak Government has allocated RM2.38 billion under its Alternative Funding to expand rural electricity supply coverage across the state.
Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said the funding supports 209 projects under the Rural Electricity Supply (BELB) initiative, with 164 projects (78.5 per cent) already completed.
He said this during his ministerial winding-up speech at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) today (May 26).
Julaihi added that an additional RM134.5 million under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) is being used for five BELB projects currently under implementation.
He also provided updates on the Additional and Late Applicant Fund (ALAF), which aims to connect households previously excluded from electrification efforts.
He said a total of RM315 million was allocated for ALAF from Phase 1 to 4 under 12MP, covering 21,073 households.
“A total of 19,382 households or 92 per cent have been completed, while the remainder are at various stages of implementation,” he said.
To support new applicants, he said the Sarawak government has approved an additional RM550 million under the 13MP, targeting around 30,600 households.
On another note, Julaihi said Sarawak currently has an electricity generation capacity of 5,898 Megawatt (MW), while demand stands at 4,887 MW—sufficient to meet domestic and rural needs.
He said Sarawak targets 10,000 MW in generation capacity by 2030, with projected demand reaching 7,074 MW.
“By 2035, the state aims to reach 15,000 MW by tapping into renewable sources including solar, cascading hydro, and pumped hydro energy storage,” he said.
