Micro hydro system lights up Rumah Unyat in many ways
A child sleeps comfortably in his cradle with a table fan to cool the air.
KAPIT: Another 15 minutes left to 6pm. Juna Isau, 50, put on his shirt, grabbed hold of his parang and tied the nylon strap on its wooden sheath to his waist.
At the door, he put on his rubber shoes.
He then walked towards another end of his longhouse, knowing that he should reach his destination in 15 minutes.
It has become daily routine for the men of Rumah Unyat Chupong to check the generator house and the dam of a mini micro hydro system used by their longhouse at a specific time of the day.
The mini dam used by Rumah Unyat to tap hydro power.
The project was commissioned in the middle of this month, barely two months after work started.
The micro hydro system was developed for iM Sarawak under the 1Malaysia Sarawak Advisory Council (1MSAC).
It serves to add value to 1MSAC projects by providing a holistic approach in addressing the overall needs of the various native groups in the state. The main objective is to help improve their standard of living in the long term.
Using ‘run-of-river’ system, the system uses flowing water to power the generator to produce electricity.
This means it has relatively little impact on the surrounding ecology, as water would be diverted back into the river.
The micro hydro system is able to generate eight kilowatt of power round-the-clock for the 150 residents of the 27-door longhouse.
It is expected to last for at least 15 years.
The pipe that channels water from the dam to the generator house.
It all started in July last year when 1MSAC chairman Datuk Joseph Salang visited the 51-year-old Rumah Unyat, longhouse of the late Temenggong Tun Jugah Barieng. Salang also visited the proposed mini dam site at Sungai Sekusing, a tributary of Sungai Merirai—about 15 minutes walking distance from the longhouse.
Shortly after that visit, news filtered in that the project would be implemented for their longhouse.
The project at Rumah Unyat is the eighth implemented and commissioned by iM Sarawak in the state.
Juna said the project, done using ‘gotong royong’ style, involved the longhouse residents. Work started last October.
“We cut down crops and fruit trees to connect electric the cables from the generator station to the longhouse.
“There was no compensation, but that is just a small sacrifice. I would advise those who want this project implemented for their longhouse to do the same.
“I believe the benefits of the project are worth more than that (sacrifice),” he said.
Previously, his people relied heavily on diesel generators for electricity, and it cost them a minimum of RM200 per family per month.
Back then, lights were switched on from 6pm to 10pm only.
The tower where Tun Jugah used to sleep. The tower is fronting Sungai Merirai.
On festive occasions, like Gawai Dayak, he said the generator sets would run until midnight or till early hours the following morning.
“With the micro hydro in place, we do not have to spend money for diesel anymore.
“The system not only eases our financial burden but gives us 24-hour free power.”
Bayan Genta, Jacklin Melilid, Edwin Betong and Melina Banyah were among those who helped Rumah Unyat residents in the project.
The four travelled from their longhouses—Rumah Lugum Jenging at Nanga Taba and Rumah Michael Jantan at Nanga Bekatan in Ulu Kanowit, Julau—to Sungai Merirai in Kapit.
The journey from Nanga Bekatan in Julau to Nanga Merirai in Kapit is 10 hours long, using river and land transports.
This micro hydro system, which has been implemented in Rumah Lugum and Rumah Michael, much earlier, has transformed the lives of the folk there. Hence, the four were eager to help.
With experience gained from building the system for their longhouses, Bayan, Jacklin, Edwin and Melina responded to the call to help Rumah Unyat residents.
“We want to see another longhouse benefit from this project. So, we came in November this year to share what we know and to build the system together with the longhouse residents,” Edwin said.
He advised Rumah Unyat folk to set up a special fund for the maintenance of the system, like what Rumah Lugum and Rumah Michael have done.
He said Rumah Lugum and Rumah Michael collected RM5 per door every month for maintenance.
Maintenance involves greasing the bearings occasionally and cleaning the dam once every three months.
Tun Jugah’s granddaughter Jini Nabau, 56, said the provision of 24-hour electricity is making the lives of her people much easier.
She said this was because they were able to use electrical appliances such as washing machines, televisions, refrigerators, fans and lamps at any time.
“This means we no longer need to do house chores and other activities in the dark, and the students can spend more time studying at night.
“Previously, there are limitations to that,” she said.
Fellow longhouse resident Rantai Dinggun, in her 50s, said now she could start buying electrical appliances.
Rantai, who helped implement the micro hydro system, said currently she did not have a refrigerator or television.
“I will ask my children to buy them,” she said.
Juna finally arrived at the generator house. He checked the generator and noticed the bearings need to be greased.
From the house, he moved towards the mini dam—about another 10 minutes walking distance, looked around to check if there are fallen tree branches that could block the river.
It had rained heavily last night, and it seemed it would rain again that night.
That is a good thing for the micro hydro system.
Satisfied that all was well with the system, he headed back home.
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