Bakun HEP to undergo 5-week controlled release from Dec 3
KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) is commencing its seasonal controlled release from the reservoir upstream of the 2,400MW Bakun Hydroelectric Plant (HEP) for five weeks, from Dec 3, until water level in the reservoir normalises.
In a statement yesterday, the state-owned utility company said Bakun reservoir levels were managed by releasing water at regulated volumes through gated spillways.
“This controlled procedure is conducted on a seasonal basis a er consulting local councils and stakeholders, with the communities notified at least two days ahead of the scheduled release,” it said.
Over this period, SEB said the release volume would be kept as low as possible, balancing both the upstream reservoir and downstream river levels to minimise the impact to the downstream regions.
Bakun HEP is owned and operated by SEB, and together with the 944MW Murum HEP, forms a cascading system ensuring strong operational synergy in terms of operations and maintenance.
“They play a major role in mitigating the severity of flooding downstream of the Rejang River by balancing both upstream reservoir and downstream water levels especially during periods of heavy rainfall.”
Since the completion of Bakun, SEB said downstream flooding had been reduced and the impact mitigated as the dam would hold back a large volume of rainwater all year round.
Controlled release from reservoirs is a standard practice for hydropower operators worldwide and has been undertaken by the operator of Bakun since it was commissioned in 2010.