PULAU PERHENTIAN: While the operators of 24 resorts and chalets on Pulau Perhentian Besar are resigned to having to rely on generators for power, 19 resort owners on Pulau Perhentian Kecil are hoping for a lifeline in the form of power supply from Tenaga Nasional Berhad.

They hope to tap into the hybrid power station built last year at a cost of about RM12.6 million on the island.

At present, only local residents are receiving power supply from TNB but with diesel priced at RM3 per litre, those in the hospitality business are hoping to get some of the electricity generated from TNB's solar panels and wind turbines, in addition to its power generators.

Newly-opened Shari-La Island Resort owner Shazula Sharipullah said he and the other resort owners would be willing to pay premium commercial tariff as the cost of maintaining their own generators had gone through the roof with the new diesel price.

"Let the villagers enjoy the discounted rate, but please provide some electricity for us. With a daily usage of about two barrels or 440 litres of diesel to operate our generators round the clock, we are paying RM1,300 a day for fuel.
"Add that to an average of RM50,000 a year for maintenance, and it is little wonder that some of the resorts here have introduced cost-cutting measures which include having to do without electricity during the day."

He said this could also mean unhappy guests, which is never a wise policy when it comes to running a business.

"The fuel price hike may not have much effect on foreign tourists but of late, we have noticed fewer local tourists," Senja Bay Resort operator Faizul Abdul Rahman said.

"We also have to take into consideration the hassle of bringing in hundreds of drums of diesel everyday by boat to the island.

"The cost of transportation and labour is not cheap and it is not uncommon for the only supplier in the area to run out of stock. Sometimes, the diesel is contaminated with water which contributes to high maintenance cost."

Bubu Long Beach financial controller Yuen Yat Seng said pollution from continuous use of generators should be a good enough reason for the resorts to benefit from the renewable and cleaner energy sources located a short distance away.

"Resorts on Pulau Kapas have been enjoying the solar hybrid system there since last year and we should be able to do the same here.

"The hybrid system is already in place and, if some of TNB officers we met could be believed, excess power reserve could be allocated to us."

Terengganu TNB customer and marketing services department assistant manager Fathiyah Aziz said the power station on Pulau Perhentian Kecil was capable of churning out 200kw although at present an average 54kw of electricity was needed to power the residential area.

However, she said power from the solar hybrid system on the island was meant solely for the villagers.

State Infrastructure Development, Public Service and Communication Committee chairman Yahya Khatib Mohamad said the tourism sector should also benefit from the solar hybrid system on the island and promised to look into the matter.