Electricity Tariff: Another Revision?

The title of this entry is not a question. It is an expression of disbelief and in some way in amusement at how the powers that be deal with one of our basic necessities in the modern day. 

Firstly, the far-reaching hands and mighty government of the day must take good care of the welfare of the people to ensure good quality of life. Secondly, for an oil and gas producing country such as Malaysia, it is obligatory for the  government to provide for a reliable and affordable supply of electricity to the people.

Not my saying. I was trying to put myself in the shoes of those opposing "resiliently" the idea of power tariff increase.

I am NOT against the idea of increasing the rate. If done the right way, and I'm not going to elaborate what is that right way, I am all for it. All for it? That sounds a bit on the extreme but what I'm saying is that I will agree to a properly drafted revision, that's all. I am a consumer just like all of you and I don't want another hole in my already shallow pocket. But why not? All good things like cheap stuffs will come to an end someday. So is our cheap electricity.

If you google  enough you will find that Malaysia's power cost is one of the lowest in South East Asia and Sabah's SESB electricity tariff is still low compared to Sarawak's SESCO and Peninsula Malaysia's TNB. SESB rates are however less interesting as it lacks the peak hour variaty and industrial sector has less 'optimazation' options. You can compare electricity tariff of ASEAN member countries in what Beni Suryadi compiled here.

Let's take a look at the current tariff in Sabah (since 25 years ago):

Source: SESB

Sarawak's SESCO tariff effective April 2007:

 Source: SESCO website.

West Malaysia Domestic tariff. Source: TNB

For industrial, commercial and others, visit TNB Industrial Tariff here.


TNB have just announced its tariff restructuring and SESCO did it in 2007, while SESB's last revision was about 25 years ago. To be fair to SESB based on the timeline alone, I'd say review is overdue.

However, while setting their eyes on the imminent, SESB must:

1. Not equate low tariff to unreliable supply. They are not the same although we hear poorly-advised leaders claiming so.

2. Translate low SAIDI to real life elimination reduction of power supply interruptions. I can give monthly data for power interruptions of several West Coast city/townships in Sabah if required and I'm not at all impressed. Three to four power failures in a month is not uncommon and this rate would drive some people nuts if it happens to TNB facilities.

3. Beef up its power theft eradication Task Force. Do you know that SESB is losing some RM3mil in revenue due to power theft? Some one can set up a SME entity and work around this figure to provide SESB with solution, in my humble opinion.

4. Be transparent. On how SESB manage itself is none of my business. What I hear on a daily dosage is complaints and all sort of allegations (both baseless and those with facts) by certain quarters. So, do what you need to do and what needs to be done. You do have a lot of wise heads in your organisation.

Talking about SAIDI (average power outage/blackout duration for each customer), TNB's record for the last two years was around 70 minutes. Our neighbour, Singapore records an average of 2 minutes (check it out Here and scroll to page 19) per customer. SESB recorded 867.4 minutes per customer last year. That's ten times of what was recorded in Peninsula Malaysia. Compare that with those of Singapore's!

Are you happy with what you see? Are you happy with the frequency of power outage in Sabah? I am not.

Again, don't equate LOW TARIFF to UNRELIABLE power supply. Of course, having more money will solve many supply issues but I can't see it as the sole justification for increasing the power cost. It is how efficient you manage the resources that matter.

Finger crossed SESB will come good.

It pays to go Green

Do you have electricity supply at your area? If yes, chances are you have some air-conditioners and fridges at home, or at least any of these two. If that is the case, the next piece of information might be of interest to you.

According to Bernama, the consumers can expect to get some kind of rebates for the purchase of high efficiency refrigerators, air-conditioners and chillers.

It is a Government initiative to encourage the use of energy-efficient appliances and to improve energy efficiency in Malaysia. Qualified consumers get a rebate of RM200 for new refrigerator and RM100 for an air-cond. It is said to cost the Government more than RM50 mil. in 2011, so I recon it will be going on for some time.

Energy-efficient household items are substantially more expensive - 30% to 50% more - but the rebates and the electricity consumed  could well justify purchase of such appliances.

The financial benefit can be realised (or ROI if you like) within two to four years depending on the level of efficiency of the item concerned. It mentioned qualified  in the press release but did not elaborate on the criteria for an item, or a consumer to be deemed qualified. My guess is that the Government will come out with the details in July 2011 when it announce the rebate for chillers in the commercial sector.

Let support the initiative and help mother earth avoid a little carbon emission. At the some time helping ourselves patching some small holes in our pockets. Our family currently uses nominal efficiency (non energy-efficient) air-conditioners and refrigerators but would seriously consider the high efficiency variants when the current ones are due for replacement.


Source: Up to RM200 rebates for energy-efficient appliances

Wildlife watching

Destination  : Hutan a.k.a jungle
Mission       : Meliat-liat munyit dan mengasi halau kuyuk yang mungkin
                     menyalak munyit.
Location     : Taman hidupan liar lok kawi.


Come, visit My Photoblog or click the pic below to see more munyit.

p/s: White munyitis from elswhere. Kindly take note that you will not find him at our destination (this jungle).