CHALLENGES IN IMPLEMENTING REPS
The achievements and benefits of implementing
REPs have been widely discussed in literature,
such as improved electricity services, reduced
energy poverty, improvements in living standards,
cleaner environments and economic benefits [3],
[10]–[15]. Round-the-clock availability of electricity
increases the opportunity for more activities,
especially at night, and enables quality electrical
appliances to be used. Thus, for example, the
usage of the indoor air-polluting and health-
hazardous kerosene lamps have been phased out.
However, the biggest challenges for REPs are still
concerned with ensuring that the programmes are
sustainable and make electrical services reliable.
The challenges can be categorised in terms of
three stages, which are planning, installation and
post-installation, as presented in Table 1.
CONCLUSION
This article offers an insight into the rural school
electrification programme in Malaysia. While
conventional fossil fuel resources are still the
major contributor to electricity generation in
the country, renewable energy sources have
recently been considered as part of the energy
generation mix. Although electricity reaches most
inhabitants, there are significant, relatively small,
patches that cannot be served by the electricity
grid network. Hence, the use of stand-alone and
renewable energy technology systems is essential.
However, challenges and barriers exist along the
project timeline, which require close attention by
each party involved in an REP. The success of an
REP is achievable if all parties address the issues
needed to make the programme sustainable and
the services reliable. Sustaining any REP is crucial
and can be achieved by applyin