By Sabah Electricity chairman and Tuaran MP Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau
KOTA KINABALU: On February 27 and 28, Beluran and Telupid experienced a widespread power outage that disrupted both businesses and individuals for almost two days. Many cable failures along the 33kV Segaliud-Beluran transmission lines were the cause of the blackout, which mostly affected the Lung Manis and Sapi Nangoh areas.
The power outage in this area was first reported at 9:30 AM on February 27, when Sabah Electricity received complaints from residents. A response team was immediately sent to PMU Segaliud, where they found that a 33kV power line had tripped.
Repair works were carried out immediately, and power was restored within an hour, only for the issue to resurface around noon, requiring further troubleshooting. At 2:10 PM, after a thorough investigation, it was revealed that there was a permanent fault in the power line.
On-site technicians discovered damaged cables, confirming that physical damage was the main cause of the repeated outages. One of the contributing factors was damage caused by monkeys, an issue that is not uncommon for Sabah Electricity. Repair work began in the afternoon, but the situation was worse than expected.
Burnt and severed cables had to be replaced, and teams worked tirelessly into the night. As the crews continued their efforts, additional faults were detected, forcing them to push through despite poor road conditions and darkness. During the restoration switching process, the team faced further setbacks when both lanes of the Sandakan-Beluran road were blocked due to two broken-down trucks.
With no alternative, they sought help from local residents using motorcycles to access the switching points and proceed with the restoration. By 11:44 PM, power was restored to most areas, but Lung Manis and Sapi Nangoh remained without electricity.
The delay worsened as the team located the affected lines and attempted to restore power, only to find additional faults in other locations. This process took considerable time due to the vast area of Beluran and Telupid. The team pushed on relentlessly, and at 8:45 PM on February 28, power was finally fully restored. However, the prolonged outage significantly impacted daily life, with many residents and businesses relying on backup generators. Power disruptions in Beluran also had a ripple effect, automatically affecting Telupid, Tongod, and Paitan, further amplifying the challenges faced by the communities.
As someone who is very familiar with the challenges of power supply reliability, I not only understand but also went through the same frustration felt by consumers. Yes, acknowledging the difficulties is very important; however, I believe that we must also consider that Sabah Electricity is actively working on addressing these issues within the resources and strategies that we have.
To share on the outages in Telupid and Beluran, one of the key reasons is the dependence on uncoated All-Aluminum Conductor (AAC) cables for electricity transmission. These bare overhead conductors, while widely used in the past, are more susceptible to external elements, particularly in areas surrounded by dense forests and challenging terrain.
The solution? A transition to Aerial Bundled Cables (ABC), which are insulated phase conductors designed to reduce faults caused by external interferences such as tree branches touching the power lines.
Why is this relevant for these areas? In Telupid and Beluran, many kilometers of electricity lines pass through protected forest reserves, where stringent conservation regulations forbid any kind of land disturbance or tree-cutting. This means that there is little that can be done to mitigate the risk of tree branches interfering with electrical lines.
For these two locations particularly, the percentage of upgraded cables remains low, with only about 45% and 28% completed, respectively. This is still low compared to areas like Tambunan, where 63% of their cables have been upgraded, reducing blackouts or SAIDI (System Average Interruption Duration Index) to only around 60 minutes.
The exposed cables are easily damaged by falling branches brought on by strong winds or heavy rain, which may result in outages. The problem is even more complicated because maintenance workers are not permitted to cut vegetation in these reserves.
Switching to ABC cables would reduce these risks significantly, as their insulation prevents direct contact from branches. However, upgrading to ABC is not a straightforward process. It requires substantial funding and logistical effort.
Sabah Electricity has been gradually upgrading its network of uncoated cables. As of 2024, about 4,937 kilometers, or 54%, of ABC cables have been successfully installed. However, with the current pace of upgrading 100 kilometers per year, fully replacing bare electrical wires could take up to 30 years and require a total investment of RM 997 million.
Like many infrastructure projects, progress is hampered by budgetary constraints, making it necessary—if not an obligation—to secure greater funding. The current plan to upgrade 230 kilometers of electrical cables between 2025 and 2027 is projected to cost around RM 70 million but is still pending final regulatory approval.
Simply put, balancing infrastructure upgrades, maintenance, and overall operational costs remains an ongoing challenge, especially when the demand for improvements far exceeds available funding. Nevertheless, every effort is being made to secure and prioritize critical areas that require immediate intervention.
Power disruptions are not just caused by outdated infrastructure. External factors, such as ongoing construction projects, also play a role. The Pan Borneo Highway development, for example, has occasionally led to power cuts due to road widening and excavation work that interferes with underground or overhead lines.
Despite close coordination with project contractors, unexpected incidents may still arise. When they do, response teams are deployed as quickly as possible, but accessibility and safety concerns sometimes delay restoration efforts.
The challenge of managing power supply for areas like Telupid and Beluran is further compounded by logistical difficulties. In some cases, restoration teams must navigate uneven terrains and dense vegetation just to reach the site of a power disruption. This naturally extends the time required for troubleshooting and restoration efforts, causing prolonged outages that further inconvenience consumers.
Improving power reliability in these areas requires a broad strategy involving infrastructure upgrades, regulatory adjustments, and continued engagement with relevant stakeholders.
It is equally important for policymakers and relevant authorities to recognize the urgent need for enhanced investment in Sabah’s power infrastructure, ensuring that rural and semi-rural communities are not left behind in terms of service reliability.
In the end, the goal is to ensure a dependable and resilient power supply for all. While immediate solutions may not always be possible, Sabah Electricity remains committed to enhancing electricity services across Sabah, including in the most challenging regions.
