The Kg. Babalitan Micro-Hydro Project Nears Completion

The 5 kilowatt micro-hydro turbine in the Murut village of Kampung Babalitan, Sabah is now installed and up and running.  A few finishing touches remain to be made, including the addition of several more pipes (the Babalitan MHP has two intakes), and the completion of the electrical distribution system.  We expect the system to be fully operational within the month, with the formal launching to be held this October.

After completion, the system will be delivering 24-hour electricity to the homes of Kg. Babalitan's 200 residents.  When power is not needed in the day-time, residents have the option of utilizing the turbine's mechanical energy to power a rice mill that has been integrated with the system.

This project will be the 5th of its kind in the Pensiangan district to have been implemented by local villagers.  These projects have been facilitated by TONIBUNG with support from organizations PACOS Trust, JOAS, Aru Bumi Sabah and Green Empowerment.

5 village-based operators are being trained to maintain and manage the system.  They will be able to perform any basic maintenance and repairs, and will be in communication with TONIBUNG staff after the project has been completed.

The People of Kg. Babalitan put the finishing touches on the 5kilowatt turbine.