As a result of the effectiveness of the solar electricity system project and its knowledge transfer model in Kampung Orang Asli Pucur, Kluang, researchers from the School of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering UTM, lead by Dr. Jasrul Jamani Jamian, plan to implement the same model of solar electricity project in the last indigenous village without continuous electricity in Johor, known as Kampung Orang Asli Tewowoh, Mersing. As informed by Jabatan Kemajuan Orang Asli (JAKOA), the village still does not have a continuous electricity supply because its location is much far inland than that of Kampung Orang Asli Pucur. Consequently, the electricity supply of the village is very limited.
To help the indigenous community of Kampung Tewowoh obtained continuous electricity, in collaboration with JAKOA, four researchers, Dr. Jasrul Jamani Jamian, Dr. Syed Norazizul Syed Nasir and the two IVAT staff; Dr. Mona Riza Mohd Esa and Dr. Zulkarnain Ahmad Noorden, started the first site visit to the village on 30th August 2020 to observe the latest status of electricity supply, its consumption and fuel amount used for electricity. During the visit, a total of 17 houses, which scattered about 1 km radius within the village, were visited and the households were interviewed about the number electrical appliances in their houses and the usage period.
All the recorded data during the site visit was used by the researchers to understand the total electricity consumption of the village and also to design the solar electrical system based on their requirement. A detailed analysis of the feasibility and reliability of the solar electrical system such as simulation of the required capacity, financial impact, logistics etc. were conducted. In the initial stage of the project, the analysis is crucial and need to be tailored towards to positive impact to the community, as it may affect the funding decision by any potential funder. The project is expected to commence in Q2 of year 2021. Prior to the installation of solar electricity system in the village, a series of knowledge transfer related to solar electricity system and its maintenance procedure will be organized to ensure that community has the knowledge and is able to take responsibility to maintain the installed system.
