Developer awaits green light to fill up Bakun dam

Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd (SHSB), the developer of the Bakun hydroelectric dam project is awaiting a permit from the Sarawak government to impound the reservoir as soon as possible to reduce adverse costs.

SHSB managing director Zulkifle Othman said the technical requirements to fill up the reservoir had been fulfilled since April this year.

He said it would take about seven months to enable the water to reach the minimum operating level of 195 metres above sea level for tests of the turbines to be carried out.

"We hope to get the good news soon so that the project can move forward and benefit the people," he told reporters at a media briefing here.

Once filled up with water, the reservoir, spanning over Batang (river) Balui, Sungai Murum, Sungai Bahau, Sungai Pelepeh and Sungai Lanau, will have a surface area of 695 square km or about the size of Singapore.

Zulkifle said the impoundment was a risky operation where it needed detailed planning and all contingency plans well in placed.

He said the RM7.3 billion Bakun HEP, which would generate 2,400 MW, was now 95 percent completed.

On wildlife rescue during the impoundment, he said SHSB was conducting the operation in collaboration with Sarawak Forestry Corporation.

"We are targeting islands to be formed within 50km upstream of the dam during the impoundment.

"More than 34,000 plants were placed at the nursery and ready for replanting while awaiting impoundment," he said.

- Bernama