Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) :: Sabah Electricity Sdn. Bhd. (SESB)

ANSWERS

What is the process I have to go through to obtain electricity supply to my premise?
Please refer to this link which is located at our Customer Services section.
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How does SESB calculate the amount of deposit for electricity to be supplied to customers' premises?
The initial amount of deposit for electricity is equivalent to the estimated electricity consumption for 2 months, based on the load being applied. Thereafter, there will be a review of the security deposit based on the 2 months average of the last 6 months actual consumption.
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How do I claim back my deposit?
If you wish to move out of your premise and claim the deposit, please bring along your deposit receipt or a copy of your last bill. If the receipt is lost, you will be given a statutory declaration form to fill. You will also have to sign a standard form to finalise your account. After deducting the outstanding balance (if any), the deposit will be refunded. Allow a processing period of 1 month. The cheque will either be sent to your forwarding address or you will be informed to collect from our office (based on you chosen option).
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Why do customers' premises get disconnected even if the deposit they have paid is enough to cover the amount outstanding?
Customers' deposit is not used to clear the amount outstanding, unless you wish to close your account. It is used as a security in cases of customers vacating premises without notifying SESB.
Under regulation 5(3) of the Electricity Supply Act 1990 Licensee Supply (Amendment) Regulations 2002, "The deposit shall be a security not a payment in advance and shall not relieve the customer from any liability under regulation 4."
Under Regulation 4(2), a customer's supply may be disconnected for default of payment after serving the required notice.
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Why is SESB's complaint line always engaged/no one to answer?
SESB'S Call Management Centre operates 24 hours a day, everyday, with our Customer Service Assistants ready to receive calls and assist customers with information on power disruptions. However, whenever there is a wide-area blackout affecting customers in several places, there would be many customers calling-in resulting in some calls being held in queue. Customers may leave a voice message as an option. Our Customer Service Assistants will call back those customers who had left voice messages.
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Why is SESB's capital contribution high?
The capital contribution is based on the estimated cost of getting the electricity supply to the premise, which include the cost of material, labour, transportation, and any work that has to be contracted out. Based on this estimated cost, the expected returns of the investment for a three year period is calculated. Unfortunately, due to the present tariff structure and the high cost to generate electricity, there is no nett returns for SESB and the customer therefore is required to pay the full amount.
SESB does not make profit on this capital contribution.
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Will Customers get cheaper electricity once SESB gets the supply from BAKUN?
Presently, there is no plan for BAKUN to supply electricity to Sabah. SESB is planting up power plants in Sabah, to meet the demand.
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What are the types of power plants you have in SESB?
Presently SESB has 3 types of power plants : hydro, diesel and gas.
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What is the capacity of the largest power plant and generating set in SESB?
Patau-Patau Power Station with a total installed capacity of 112MW, is our largest plant. The generating sets in SESB are relatively small; the largest of which is the 33MW John Brown gas turbine.
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Apart from SESB, are there any other power producers operating in Sabah?
Yes, there are 5 Independent Power Producers (IPP) in Sabah : Powertron, ARL, Serudong Power Sdn Bhd, Sandakan Power Corporation Energy Services Sdn Bhd and Stratavest Sdn Bhd.
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Flooding frequently occurs in Beaufort and Tenom. Does the Hydro Power Plant at Tenom Pangi somehow aggravate the situation?
Tenom Pangi Hydro Power Station is a run-off river system which means that it cannot control the flow of the water in the Padas River. SESB therefore has no role in the flooding in Beaufort or Tenom.
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Why is wayleave required for transmission line construction?
SESB requires the wayleave for the construction of transmission lines in order to transmit the bulk electricity from one area to another area.
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What is the Act or Regulations regulating the wayleave?
The provisions under Electricity Supply Act 1990 are used, and as from September 2003 the Sabah Land Ordinance, Section 30(1)(bb) is also being used.
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Besides SESB, who are the others including Government Department involved in the procurement of wayleave?
Land and Survey Department, Assistant Collector of Land Revenue, State Attorney General, Jabatan Hasil Bumi and State Secretary Office are also involved.
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What is the process of wayleave procurement?
1. SESB will apply for wayleave by servicing notices to the landowners whose land are affected by the proposed transmission line route.
2. The landowners can object/appeal for the applications.
3. If no objection is received from the landowners within the stipulated time, the wayleave right is obtained by SESB.
4. If the objection is received from landowners within the stipulated time, PPHT will conduct an inquiry.
5. PPHT will then give an order to grant SESB the wayleave with/without conditions.
6. After the above, joint count of crops and buildings for valuation and compensation will be carried out.
7. Compensation hearing/enquiries will be arranged by PPHT and PPHT will give order to SESB to pay the amount of compensations.
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Are there any avenue for appeal by landowners on the wayleave process?
Yes, landowners can appeal in accordance with Electricity Supply Act 1990 or Sabah Land Ordinance.
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How long does it take for SESB to process payment for compensation to landowners?
SESB will pay the compensations to the landowners within one week upon PPHT decision on the amount payable to the landowners.
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Which Department in SESB to be contacted regarding wayleave issues?
The landowner can contact Jabatan Pembangunan Penghantaran SESB telephone no. 088-282230
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What is the area of the transmission line way-leave?
It is an area of 2 chain width (40.2m); 1 chain on either side of the transmission line, which runs along the whole length of the transmission line.
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Do developers or landowners need approval from SESB if they intend to develop the land/area which happens to be within/close to the 2 chain wayleave area?
Yes. No structures or crops more than 6 feet are allowed under SESB transmission lines due to safety reasons. The developers need to submit their proposed plans and drawings which are certified by a Professional Engineer to SESB. This will normally be done through the City or Municipal Council who shall forward the plans and drawings to SESB and other authorities for comments. Site visits will be conducted if necessary.
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What will happen if we get too close to the transmission line conductor?
According to Electricity Supply Act, 1990, the ground clearances for the 66-132KV and 132-275KV lines are 6.70 meters and 7.0 meters respectively. Flashover may occur if you get closer and this can cause injury or even death. Minimum working clearance from the live conductor is 4.75 meters.
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What is SESB's stand on public concerns over potential health effects from exposure to EMF (Electric & Magnetic Fields)?
Please refer to this link "TNB's Position Statement on EMF" which is located at our Corporate News section.
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Could SESB give comparative measures of EMF produced by some household appliances with EMF produced when transmitting electricity?

APPLIANCES	INFRONT	1 FEET AWAY	2 FEET AWAY
Radio	52.6 mG	2.7 mG	1.6 mG
Computer	11.4 mG	1.8 mG	1.5 mG
Iron	19.6 mG	2.0 mG	1.6 mG
Mini-Hifi	6.6 mG	2.1 mG	2.0 mG
Television	80.0 mG	7.2 mG	2.4 mG
Fridge	4.1 mG	1.9 mG	1.2 mG
Blender	8.1 mG	5.1 mG	1.6 mG
Microwave Oven	477.0 mG	49.4 mG	11.8 mG
Rice Cooker	9.0 mG	1.4 mG	1.3 mG
Foot Massager	48.0 mG	2.6 mG	1.3 mG
Hair Dryer	33.0 mG	1.4 mG	1.4 mG
Transmission Line Directly under: 30 mG Edge of right-of-way: 13 mG

* Note: All readings are taken under normal condition of home environment.

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How do I, as a vendor, apply to be registered with SESB?
Your company must be first registered with either:-
- Pusat Khidmat Kontraktor (PKK) or PUKONSA and Kementerian Kewangan (Perbendaharaan Malaysia)
  Or
- PUKONSA and Lembaga Pembangunan Industri Pembinaan Malaysia (CIDB).
You may then apply to be registered with SESB, by filling in form 'Permohonan Pendaftaran Kontraktor/Pembekal SESB', paying a fee of RM50.00 and also submitting the following document:
- Copy of Registration Certificate KK/PMS/PKK/PUKONSA.
- Copy of Registration Certificate from Lembaga Pembangunan Industri Pembinaan Malaysia (CIDB).
- Copy of Registration Certificate from ROC/ROB.
- Proof of 'Bumiputra' status from KK/PMS/PKK/PUKONSA if applicable.
- Copy of 'Form 24' - Pemegang ekuiti.
- Copy of 'Form 49' - Lembaga Pengarah/Pengurus/Setiausaha Syarikat.
- Copy of 'Form 32A' - Pertukaran pemegang saham syarikat (if applicable).
- The most recent 'Annual Return of A Company Having A Share Capital'.
- Trading License, if applicable.
The above-mentioned document must be certified by the Company Secretary or a member of a Professional Body or Commissioner of Oath or a Senior Public servant.
Send in your application to the following address:
PENGURUS BESAR
JABATAN PEROLEHAN,
TINGKAT 5, WISMA SESB,
JALAN TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN,
88673 KOTA KINABALU, SABAH.
FAX No.: 088-246536
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How do I apply for Rural Electrification (Bekalan Elektrik Luar Bandar (BELB))?
Please refer to this link which is located at our Customer Services section.
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What is the procedure for customers to make claim of compensation for damages incurred due to power supply breakdown?
Customers have to make a police report on the damages incurred.
This police report, together with a copy of the following document : N.R.I.C, electricity bill, claim invoice, letter from Jabatan Haiwan (if domestic animals are involved) must be submitted to the nearest SESB office.
SESB will make its own investigation. Customers report together with SESB report will be submitted to Insurance Broker who would liase with SESB Insurance Company who in turn would get an adjuster to investigate and value the damages. The Insurance Company (on behalf of SESB) will make payment to the claimant (customer) if the claim is found to be valid.
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Where do I channel my complaint on non-supply of electricity to the street lighting in the rural areas?
Kementerian Pembangunan Luar Bandar, through it's agencies, erects and installs 'Lampu Jalan Kampung' in rural areas in Sabah. Upon completion of work, SESB will energise these street lights and this is done only when it is safe to do so. This measure is taken for public safety. Hence, any complaints regarding the conditions of these street lights should be channeled to Kementerian Pembangunan Luar Bandar.
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