In a landmark handover ceremony in Kapit, Sarawak, solar power systems under the Sarawak Alternative Rural Electrification Scheme (SARES) were officially presented to four longhouse communities along Sungai Sekeroh — bringing clean, reliable electricity to 499 residents for the first time.
The handover ceremony took place in Kapit, with Nicholas Kudi Jantai — political secretary to the Chief Minister of Sarawak — officiating the presentation of solar power systems to the four longhouse communities. The event marked the completion of one of the most meaningful rural electrification projects Helios Group has undertaken in East Malaysia.
The four communities that received the systems were:
- Rumah Jana, Nanga Gelong Kanan
- Rumah Linggi, Nanga Jelayan
- Rumah Alan, Nanga Gelong Kiba
- Rumah Serani, Sungai Sekeroh
Together, these four longhouses encompass 56 bilik — the individual family units within a longhouse — and a combined residential population of 499 people. For many of these residents, the handover marked the first time their homes would have access to stable, round-the-clock electricity.
"SARES is used for areas considered too remote to be connected to the power grid for round-the-clock electricity supply. These communities deserve the same access to energy that urban Malaysians take for granted."
— Nicholas Kudi Jantai, Political Secretary to the Chief Minister of SarawakFinancing Under the National Blue Ocean Strategy
The RM 3.5 million project was financed under the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) partnership — a federal-state co-financing model that splits project costs equally between the Sarawak State Government and the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development. This framework has been instrumental in extending electrification to communities that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive to reach through conventional grid expansion.
The SARES programme specifically targets areas where extending the national power grid is not economically or logistically viable. Communities in the deep interior of Sarawak — connected only by river transport and remote jungle tracks — are prime candidates for off-grid solar solutions, which can be installed, commissioned, and maintained without the need for transmission infrastructure.
Why Off-Grid Solar Changes Lives
Access to electricity in rural longhouse communities is transformative far beyond basic convenience. With reliable power, children can study after dark. Health clinics can refrigerate vaccines and medicines. Small businesses can operate equipment. Clean water pumps can run continuously. Communication becomes possible through mobile charging and internet connectivity.
Prior to this installation, the Sungai Sekeroh communities — like many of Sarawak's interior settlements — relied on small diesel generators for limited hours of electricity each day, or had no electricity at all. Diesel dependency is expensive, polluting, and unreliable — particularly in areas where fuel resupply requires boat journeys of many hours.
Maintenance Commitments and Long-Term Sustainability
A key element of the handover was the signing of maintenance pledges by the headmen of each longhouse community. These pledges formalise the communities' commitment to the upkeep of their solar systems — a critical factor in ensuring the long-term sustainability of rural electrification projects.
Community ownership and buy-in is essential for off-grid solar installations. Unlike grid-connected systems that are maintained by utility companies, off-grid systems in remote areas require local stewardship. Helios Group supports this through hands-on training for community members and accessible maintenance protocols designed for non-technical users.
Part of a Broader Commitment to Rural Electrification
The Sungai Sekeroh project represents a milestone in Helios Group's long-standing commitment to rural electrification across Sarawak and Sabah. Since our founding in 2010, delivering energy access to underserved communities has been central to our mission — not just as a business objective, but as a core part of our identity.