The Bakun hydroelectric project’s spillway gates will start operations on Friday upon completion of the spillway gates and all associated work, Sarawak Hidro managing director Zulkifle Osman said today.
He said the spillway gates, which would remain open for the foreseeable future, are operated slowly so that water level would rise gradually and should not impact the people on or near the Batang Rajang.
“The water level in Batang Rajang will return to normal, which should ensure that river traffic and other activities connected with the river can return to full operations,” he said in a statement today.
While the spillway gates opening and operations should not be of concern to river users, people should stay away from the immediate vicinity of the spillway as there would be turbulent water flow and eddies, he said.
Zulkifle thanked the people, who have been affected by the impoundment of the Bakun Reservoir, for their patience and understanding given that Batang Rajang was the main transportation mode for residents living above Kapit town.
He said the project has eight turbine-generators which could produce 2,400 megawatt of electricity once it was fully operational.
“Two generating units are in commercial operations and a third will undergo reliability trials very soon,” he said, adding that the other units were in varying stages of installation.
– Bernama
Jimmy Tan
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