SEB ready to start Baleh HEP — CEO
KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) has received approval for its Social and Environment Impact Assessment ( SEIA) on Baleh hydro electric power ( HEP) from the state’s Natural Resources and Environment Board on March 13.
SEB would move forward with the next step and hope to start the project next year with the approval, SEB chief executive officer Datuk Torstein Dale Sjotveit said.
“Baleh HEP would help to meet the strong growth in industrial demand for electricity. This comes about with the success of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy ( SCORE) in drawing investors from energy intensive industries to Samalaju Industrial Park.
“This will provide employment opportunities for Sarawakians, and maintains the state’s momentum in striving for a highincome economy, in line with Sarawak’s vision of sustainable growth and prosperity, which SEB is helping to deliver by meeting the need for secured, reliable and renewable energy through HEP projects such as Baleh.
“As a member of the International Hydropower Association ( IHA), SEB is committed to undertake the project in accordance with guidelines set by the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol,” he said during the first session of the media workshop on SEB’s business operations at Menara Sarawak Energy here yesterday.
Torstein said the 188-metre high and more than one kilometre wide concrete faced rockfill dam with installed capacity of 1,285 Megawatt (MW) is scheduled for completion in 2024.
“The implementation of Baleh HEP will progress with our plans to spur development in Sarawak and benefit the people.
“The people of Baleh understand this and we have received positive response from them. We thank them for their support and we will continue working together with them,” he said.
Baleh HEP is located on the Baleh River about 95km from its confluence with the Rajang River in Kapit Division.
Torstein said there would not be any resettlement as no one was living in the proposed area, which might be the reason Baleh community was supportive of the project.
He said the Baleh HEP would open up job opportunities especially for the local community.
Torstein however, declined to reveal the figures, when queried on the cost of the Baleh HEP except to say that it would be more expensive than Murum HEP, considering that Baleh HEP would have about 50 per cent higher capacity than Murum.
He explained that although HEPs required huge initial investment, they could last for 100 years, which would mean that the power generated from them would be inexpensive.
“The reason we can lower the tariff for domestic users is because we have ( hydro electric) power plants.
Torstein also said that SEB was ready to proceed with Baram HEP “as soon as Baram people want development in their area”, adding that SEIA had been done in the area with assistance from local elected representatives and the state government.