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The
lack of energy and clean drinking water in rural areas in Sabah
is far from addressed. Numerous communities in Sabah are
underserved by traditional municipal water and electricity
services, which are a limiting factor in socio-economic
development, education, and healthcare. Rural electrification
through “conventional methods” such as grid connection and
diesel generators is either very costly, or - in the case of
grid extensions – simply not in the plans for the foreseeable
future. These conventional methods result in emissions that are
harmful to human health and the environment. With the rise of
fuel prices in recent year rendering many isolated diesel
generators un-operational due to high maintenance cost.
Sabah is blessed with high volume
of rainfall annually and steady flowing water in streams all
year round. The topography in the rural areas are also hilly
making both of this condition – hilly terrain and steady water
flowing stream and ideal criteria for a micro hydro system. A
micro hydro power system harnesses the kinetic energy of fast
flowing water using a turbine and converts it into mechanical
power. The mechanical power then can be used directly to drive
agro processing equipment such as rice mills or to turn a
generator to produce electricity. As a solution, community-based
Micro Hydro projects emphasize the people’s participation in all
aspects of project conceptualization, design, installation, and
implementation.
  These
projects have the greatest likelihood of long-term successful
operation because community residents are invested in designing
and maintaining the systems. Since they have invested their
time, energy, and resources into project development, they have
ownership over the project and work to keep it successfully
running over the long term. This systems has directly served the
communities
 through
increased capacity and the availability of electricity, clean
water, and agro-processing equipment powered by the new
electricity system. The villagers will be the direct
beneficiaries of the trainings that are designed and intended to
empower the entire community at large. The Micro hydro systems
contributes towards efforts to combat climate change and
poverty.
 The
projects include micro hydro, capacity building training and
other village development activities, depending on each
community’s needs, along with associated watershed protection,
land use mapping and planning, and restoration efforts. The
program includes specific training and capacity building
elements for the community leaders in the area. The training
will emphasize both community development and technical issues.
Building
upon its previous successful project in Kg.Terian, Penampang and
Kg.Bantul, Pensiangan Sabah including the Award winning project
(2006 ASEAN Energy Awards) in Long Lawen, Belaga
Sarawak with community organizational development, micro
hydropower projects, community technology centers, and socio
economic development. PACOS is embarking on four new projects in
Sabah and Sarawak. The projects are located in Kg.Buayan,
Penampang, Kg. Miruru, Ranau Sabah, Kg. Bario Asal, Bario and Kg
Mudung Abun, Belaga Sarawak
The
previous successful projects will not be achieved without the
support from Seacology Foundation, GEF SGP Malaysia, The
Borneo Project, Green Empowerment and the hard work of the
community themselves. We also acknowledge the contribution made
by the local governments and other NGOs in making the projects a
success. We are Looking forward for the next Endeavour..
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