In a statement Finnish Ambassador to Malaysia Lauri Korpinen said, “The project [is] part of the embassy’s on-going rural development programme. This year alone a total of RM1.2 million (US$315,810.85) [has] been spent to sponsor such causes [and we will] continue to provide such donations in future.”
“The solar energy system, which is Finnish technology, is said to be very conducive for remote areas as there is no need for electrical poles to be installed. It only requires panels to be fitted on top of roofs [and] the heat from the sun will charge the battery, placed in the house, which provides the power supply,” he added.
It is understood it takes only one solar power unit installed on the roof of one house can provide electricity to three houses. Six units were installed at Kampung Ampangan Kuala Woh for around US$42,000.
Similar energy systems were installed in villages on Pulau Carrie in Selangor and Kota Marudu in Sabah in 2002.
