Bakun’s transmission line project ahead of schedule

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BELAGA: Construction work on the double-circuit and transmission lines connecting Bakun Hydroelectricity Dam and Samalaju Industrial Park is expected to be completed ahead of its deadline in September 2010.

GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY: Hulu Rejang MP Datuk Billy Abit Joo (second right) and Belaga assemblyman Liwan Lagang (second left) at the ‘Bungan’ (ground-breaking) ceremony at Uma Sambop, 20km from Bakun Dam on Saturday.

GROUND-BREAKING CEREMONY: Hulu Rejang MP Datuk Billy Abit Joo (second right) and Belaga assemblyman Liwan Lagang (second left) at the ‘Bungan’ (ground-breaking) ceremony at Uma Sambop, 20km from Bakun Dam on Saturday.

Trenergy Infrastructure Sdn Bhd, the sub-contractor which is responsible for building the transmission lines which involves building overhead towers and cables, kicked start the tedious work in September 2008.

It was entrusted with the project by the main contractor Sinohydro Corporation Sdn Bhd, a local subsidiary of multi-national Beijing-based hydropower engineering and construction company Sinohydro Corporation.

On December 24 last year, Sarawak Energy Services Sdn Bhd, the project

owner, awarded Sinohydro Corporation Sdn. Bhd

the Package B 275KV transmission lines costing RM270 million.

“By far, the Package A project involving two phases — Lines 1 and 2 are between 90 to 95 per cent completed, which is several months ahead of the planned two-year term. The 110km Line 1 from Bakun Dam to a sub-station located nearby the junction of Bakun Road-Bintulu/Miri Road is completed.

“The remaining 25km Line 2 from the sub-station to Samalaju Industrial Park in Similajau is still under construction,” said the company’s spokesman here on Saturday.

The Package A transmission lines is to provide electricity to run the Bakun Dam.

“Right now, we have started our Package B transmission works (in January) involving the building of 275kv transmission lines spanning 139km from Bakun to Samalaju Industrial Park. The transmission lines will run parallel with the existing one and it is also a two-year contract,” he added.

This second 275KV transmission lines will carry electricity generated by the 2,400MV Bakun Dam to an aluminium smelting plant at Samalaju Industrial Park within the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).

Meanwhile, to obtain spiritual blessings for the construction of the second transmission lines project, a ‘Pelah Daleh’ (an Orang Ulu phrase which means ‘ground breaking’) ceremony was held at Uma Sambop (Rumah Sambop) at KM140 Bakun Road in Belaga on Saturday.

Member of Parliament for Hulu Rejang Datuk Billy Abit Joo, who was the guest of honour, stressed the importance of preserving Orang Ulu culture and tradition despite the onslaught of modernisation.

“We should practise our centuries old cultures and traditions for generations to come. This ‘Pelah Daleh’ and ‘Bungan’ (which resembles the Iban’s ‘miring’ ceremony), symbolises our unique culture practises,” he said.

Billy Abit also advised the young generations in the Orang Ulu community to brace themselves for the abundance of lucrative job opportunities which would be available in SCORE in the foreseeable future.

Among those present at the ceremony were state assemblyman for Belaga Liwan Lagang, Sarawak Energy Berhad senior manager Sipol Ambon, state and federal government department representatives and community leaders.

Besides the Bakun Dam, the government plans to build three more hydroelectric dams and power plants soon, namely the 990MW Murum Dam, 950MW Baleh Dam, and 770MW Pelagus Dam, all located at the upper reaches of the Rejang River.