Bakun hydroelectric dam could generate power as early as April next year — Sarawak Hidro
FILLING UP FAST: The Bakun Dam reservoir is filling up faster than expected.
BAKUN: The impoundment of Bakun hydroelectric dam is ahead of schedule.
The reservoir water level has reached 150.4 metres as of Monday and could reach the critical mass of 195 metres for power generation as early as April next year.
Initially projected to take about seven and half months, dam developer and owner Sarawak Hidro — a whollyowned subsidiary of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated — said the process of flooding 69,000ha has been faster than expected.
Sarawak Hidro managing director Zulkifle Osman said water volume released from the dam could be doubled when it reaches the critical threshold for operation of the first turbine by July next year, preceded by up to two months of test runs.
He said this when briefing the top brass from the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister’s offices, the Implementation Coordination Unit (ICU) and their entourage on a visit to Bakun on Monday and Tuesday.
The group also visited Long Singu Penan settlement, Lusong Laku primary school, SMK Belaga and the Sungai Asap Resettlement Area.
Currently, the dam is releasing 196 cubic metres of water downstream to the Balui River, and this will double when the impoundment is completed.
The company said the water level between Belaga and Kapit town should be passable to normal riverine traffic, including express boats, by next July but this could be as early as April if the present rate of impoundment continues.
The impoundment of the 205-metre dam, the second highest concrete-rock filled dam in the world, started before 8am on Oct 13 and the gigantic gates of the diversion tunnels were closed two hours later.
The threshold level is 195 metres, where dammed water will enter the inlet and turn the turbines to kick-start power generation.
Bakun project management said power could also be supplied to Belaga township and 15 longhouses in Sungai Asap township if there are plans by the relevant authorities to provide transmission lines.
Political secretary to the Prime Minister, Datuk Shahlan Ismail, said Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is very serious about the welfare of the people and wants problems to be resolved accordingly.
He said the relevant authorities must engage and communicate regularly with the public on steps to be taken on the ground.
Plans and proposals received from the visit would be submitted to the Prime Minister in a detailed report shortly after the visit, he added.