A 275kV transmission line currently being built to channel electricity generated by the Murum hydro dam to the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) may be re-routed to faciliate the construction of another dam in Balepeh.
Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB), the developer of the RM3bil Murum dam project, is studying the plan to change the route of the transmission line.
“If we decide to re-route the transmission line, this will naturally delay its completion. But it won’t hold up first generation (of power) from Murum,” Murum dam project director Andrew Pattle told StarBiz yesterday.
The proposed Balepeh dam in the upper reaches of the Balui River, where the Murum dam is being built can generate 110MW.
Pattle said the transmission line would connect Murum to the transmission system near Bakun. It was originally scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2012 – a year ahead of the first power to be commercially produced by Murum dam.
The 944MW Murum dam project is located about 60km upstream of Bakun dam. A major access road to the dam site, which is funded by the federal government is under construction.
SEB has also identified other hydro dam projects upstream of the Balui River. These are Linau (290MW) and Danun (200MW).
Pattle said the RM100mil transmission line project was undertaken by Universal Cable Sarawak-Sinohydro Corp joint-venture. Universal Cable Sarawak is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sarawak Cable Bhd. China’s Sinohydro Corp, together with joint-venture partner Naim Holdings Bhd, is the contractor of the 118km Bakun-Samalaju transmission line.
The first Bakun-Samalaju transmission line was completed last year, and the second parallel line currently under construction is expected to be ready early next year. The 2,400MW Bakun dam, which is developed and owned by the federal government via Sarawak Hirdo Sdn Bhd, is scheduled to generate its first 300MW on Aug 6.
Pattle said the Murum dam project, SEB’s biggest investment so far in a hydro dam project, was 44% completed.
“First Power from Murum is expected in late 2013 with full production to be reached in early 2014,” he added.
Undertaken by Three Gorges Development Corp (M) under a single contract with SEB, the Murum dam comprises several key components – a 145m high roller-compacted concrete dam, intake and 2.7km long tunnels supplying water to a 944MW power house.
Pattle said the Murum dam was a key part of the SCORE project and would be the next major hydro generation project to be commissioned after the Bakun dam.
Murum electricity power is slated to come in time to take up the power demand from SCORE industries which Bakun dam is unable to meet.
SEB, which will purchase Bakun power from Sarawak Hidro at 6.25 sen per kwh with the rate to be increased by 1.5% per annum for 30 years, has committed a total of 1,200MW (more than 70% of the firmed 1,776MW from Bakun) to four pioneer SCORE investors.
The four are Press Metal Bhd, OM Materials, Asia Minerals Ltd and Tokuyama Corp.
Pattle said SEB was working closely with the state governmernt to develop two resettlement areas to relocate some 1,400 Penans whose several settlements would be submerged when the Murum dam reservoir was impounded.
“The resettlement process will comply with international guidelines and is being done in a way that is sensitive to the Penans’ needs.
“The resettlement areas will allow the Penans to continue their traditional lifestyle while enjoying access to modern facilities, such as education and health care,” he added.
