KUCHING: Water royalty from the Bakun hydroelectric dam contributed over RM100 mllion to the state’s coffers, offsetting the loss in revenue from reduced electricity tariffs.
According to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem, the state government was able to lower the electricity tariffs because the state government was making money out of the mass consumption of water by Sarawak Energy Berhad.
“Water is our right, therefore we charge royalty on it. Now that the Bakun hydropower dam is functioning, the state is making about RM100 million, or even more than that,” he said during a dialogue with the local media at the old State Legislative Assembly (DUN) building here Wednesday (Apr 27).
Beginning January last year, domestic customers in the state enjoyed lower tariff ranging from two to 40 per cent.
In June, Adenan announced that commercial and industrial tariffs will be reduced by eight to 50 per cent and four to 40 per cent respectively.