KUCHING: Several areas within the southern parts of the state including Kuching and Sibu district experienced a blackout following a power failure for about an hour from 6.30pm today.
Checks showed other areas affected by the temporary blackout included Saratok and Sarikei while areas located on the north part of the state such as Miri and Bintulu divisions were spared from the power failure.
Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB), in a statement, said Kemena to Selangau 275 kV lines experienced a double-circuit trip, causing a partial outage in the southern part of the state.
"The SEB technical team is currently focusing all its efforts on addressing the issue.
"The affected lines were reenergized within one hour and customer load was progressively restored from 7pm onwards.
"Power supply to parts of Sibu was restored within half an hour, Kuching within one hour and the majority of the remaining affected areas within two hours."
To avoid reoccurrence in the future, SEB said it was in the midst of constructing the 500kV Transmission Backbone from Bintulu to Kuching, expected to be completed by middle of this year.
"We are communicating this through email and other means possible as our main telecommunication services are currently down. We apologize for the late notification," the company said.