Shining a light on energy poverty: the journey to Gopeng

Shearwater Product Center Empowering Indigenous Homes with Solar Power

In Shearwater, we strive to ensure secure access to energy resources for everyone. This commitment is the key driver behind our decisions and actions - Whether through innovative technologies or direct community engagement, our goal is to empower individuals and create opportunities by addressing barriers to resource accessibility.

Energy poverty continues to be a significant challenge for many Indigenous families in Malaysia. Without reliable energy, the access to education, healthcare, and opportunities for economic growth is limited. According to data from Sols Energy Sdn Bhd, around 1.5 million Malaysians live off-grid, meaning around 374,000 households lack access to affordable energy. Recognising this issue, Shearwater Product Center (SPC) teamed up with Sols Energy to take action and make a difference.

A Journey of Purpose

On September 28th 2024, a team of volunteers from SPC embarked on their journey to the native village of Gopeng. Every step of the journey was planned with care. A comprehensive HARC evaluation ensured the SPC team were ready for the Malaysian rainy season, the long journey to the secluded village, and the installation process itself. Safety was a priority, with first aid kits and trained first aiders on hand, alongside walkie-talkies, to address the lack of cell phone reception.

The excitement was through the roof as the 18 team members loaded up their five cars with toys for the children, books to the meet-up point, and a shared sense of purpose. When they arrived, they were greeted by the Sols team and further transported in 4WD vehicles through Geruntum Falls to Kampong Ulu Kepayang.

The project involved procuring and installing 28 solar home systems, each featuring a lithium-ion battery, a 50W solar panel with a built-in frame, four tube lights, a motion sensor light, and a few USB ports for charging portable devices. Each system was designed to meet the specific needs of these remote households.

Bringing Solar Power to Kampong Ulu Kepayang

Upon arrival, the villagers greeted the team with welcoming smiles and positivity. A briefing with a quick breakfast was held in the village common area, featuring a meet-and-greet followed by a review of solar system components and safety protocols for installation. Divided into five groups comprising installers, surveyors, and Sols Energy personnel, the volunteers were eager to start the process.

While the installers focused on setting up the solar systems, the surveyors were tasked with collecting baseline information from the villagers, including household size, income, expenses, and occupations. This data would be used to assess current living conditions and measure the impact of the solar installations on the community's livelihoods in the coming year.

After a morning's work, the groups gathered for a communal lunch with the villagers before diving back into the installations. For those who finished their installations early, they engaged the village children in games organised by Sols Energy. These games combined fun with educational elements, mainly focusing on financial literacy and money management.

The day concluded with the distribution of the gifts brought by the Shearwater volunteers, a tea break shared with the villagers, and heartfelt goodbyes that emphasised the bonds formed during the day.

Sustaining Change

But the work doesn't stop there. Sols Energy will conduct follow-up visits within 8-12 months to assess the impact of the solar systems on the villagers' lifestyles and overall well-being. These follow-ups will leverage the baseline information collected during the project to evaluate changes in living conditions, energy usage, and economic outcomes.

Additionally, these visits will address any challenges encountered with the solar systems, ensuring they continue to operate effectively. Routine maintenance and troubleshooting will be provided as needed to uphold the reliability of the systems. This ongoing engagement underscores the project's commitment to fostering long-term change, demonstrating that it is not just a one-off installation but a step forward to empowerment and development for the community.

Lighting the Way to a Brighter Future

This project not only brought sustainable energy to the community but fostered meaningful connections and shared experiences. The team present reported that the experience was both humbling and inspiring, leaving each participant hopeful that their efforts had brought meaningful change to the lives of the Indigenous community in Kampong Ulu Kepayang.

Finally, we want to express a heartfelt thank you to everyone who was involved in organising this project. We are grateful for our partners at Sols Energy for their expertise, dedication, and collaboration throughout the initiative. Thank you to the Penang QHSE team and all the volunteers from Shearwater Product Center for the hard work, enthusiasm, thoughtful planning, and commitment to helping others.

A special thanks to Khalveena Sivabalakrishnan, Mohd Hakimi Mohd Rashid and Oline Krogstad for gathering the stories and images that formed this article!