SIBU: The 132kV Sungai Merah Substation, completed in July 2025, is now playing a key role in strengthening and stabilising Sibu’s electricity supply while enhancing the power system’s capacity to meet future energy demand.
Minister of Utility and Telecommunication, Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi, said the RM149-million Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) substation began operations in July last year and is now providing additional electricity supply to Sibu.
He said the facility has reduced the area’s reliance on the 275kV Oya Substation as its sole primary source of electricity, thereby improving the reliability and stability of the overall power supply system.
“This substation provides an additional electricity supply to Sibu, reducing dependence on the 275kV Oya Substation alone.
“As a result, Sibu’s electricity supply has become stronger and more stable, while also being able to accommodate future increases in demand,” he said during the working visit to the substation on Friday (July 24).
Julaihi said that the substation receives electricity from the Kemantan 275kV transmission line, where it is stepped down to 132kV before being distributed through the Sungai Merah power supply network.
He added that the Sungai Merah substation is equipped with two 80MVA transformers, which operate simultaneously but at no more than 40MVA each.
“In other words, each transformer operates at a maximum load of 40MVA,” he said.
Julaihi said that the Sungai Merah transmission line forms part of the Coastal Grid, which not only supplies electricity to Sibu but also distributes power to Tanjung Manis and Daro.
