Kris Sakti to pioneer aerial power line ops

Kris Sakti Holdings Sdn Bhd chairman Datuk Seri Mahmud Abu Bekir Taib said the aerial power line operations (construction, maintenance and inspection of power lines using helicopters) eliminates the need for cranes and other heavy lifting vehicles.This, he said, will greatly reduce the impact on the environment as there is no need to build access roads and working sites, especially in protected areas, mountainous regions and inaccessible districts.

KSA signed on Wednesday a deal with Eurocopter Malaysia Sdn Bhd at the Paris Air Show held at Le Bourget, for the acquisition of the AS350 B3e Ecureuil, the EC135 T3 and the latest of Super Puma family, the 11-tonne EC225.

KSA, however, did not disclose the cost of the three helicopters or how it will fund the purchase.

It is understood that the AS350 B3e helicopter will be delivered to KSA by year-end, the EC135 T3 by mid-2014 and EC225 in 2015.

Under aerial power line operations, helicopters are used for the construction of towers, surveillance and their maintenance. This method, as opposed to conventional ones, will enable power transmission to geographically challenging areas.

Mahmud, son of Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Taib Mahmud, said KSA is seeking guidance from Airtelis, a subsidiary of French public utility RTE, to develop the aerial power line solution business in Malaysia.

He said this new niche business in aerial power line construction, using breakthrough technology, will help realise the country’s aspirations of becoming a fully developed nation.

Mahmud said KSA, which will be the pioneer in aerial power line operations, aims to be the leading solutions provider for power line operations in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

Established in 2009, KSA is a heliport and helideck consultant and an authorised distributor for FEC Heliports Worldwide Ltd.

Eurocopter, meanwhile, is the Franco-German-Spanish helicopter maker and a division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace and defence-related services.

Eurocopter’s helicopters account for 33 per cent of the world’s civil and parapublic fleet.

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