Project Visit to Ulu Papar, Malaysia ›

n June 2014, the WISIONS team visited our project partners Tonibung & Green Empowerment at the Center for Renewable Energy and Appropriate Technology (CREATE) on the island of Borneo in Malaysia.

During our stay we had the opportunity to meet with residents of Ulu Papar (in the village of Buayan) and discuss their experiences of the electricity system that runs on micro hydro power. It was particularly interesting to learn about the daily routines and the local management of the tariff system, which is a pre-paid meter system.

In addition, we talked to the project managers of the SEPS project that is currently being implemented: Integrating Watershed Development and Conservation in the Ancestral Forests of Ulu Papar (SEPS 9). The project involves the development of integrated micro hydro and water distribution systems in three villages and also includes the planning and implementation of watershed protection measures.

Since the start of the project, feasibility studies, surveys and designs for all three sites have been completed and consultation and awareness-raising has been undertaken with the communities. In addition, the residents have already cleared the designated areas for the intake, forebay and pipelines. Over the next few months the turbine will be manufactured and installed.

You can find more information on TONIBUNG’s Facebook page, the TONIBUNG Renewables Blog and at Green Empowerment.