KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Berhad’s subsidiary SEB Power has signed with China Gezhouba Group Company Limited (CGGC) and Untang Jaya Sdn Bhd Joint Venture a contact on the construction of Baleh Hydroelectric Plant, at Sarawak Energy Tower, here, on Wednesday.
The signing was witnessed by a deputy chief minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Dr James Jemut Masing,who also the Minister for Infrastructure Development and Transportation and Baleh assemblyman.
Sarawak Energy Group Chief Executive Officer Sharbini Suhaili and Executive Vice President James Ung Sing Kwong signed on behalf of SEB Power Sdn Bhd, while CGGC was represented by its Malaysia representatives, Xu Zhongguo and Huang Mingxing, and Untang Jaya Sdn Bhd was represented by its director, Micheal Anak Jawa and managing director, Rheineld @ Minor Anak Panyau.
With the signing of the contract, CGGC and Untang Jaya Sdn Bhd Joint Venture will start with the design works soon.
The contract also includes the construction of the dam, intake structure, spillway and penstocks.
The construction of the dam is scheduled to begin in October next year.
According to SEB chairman, Datuk Amar Abdul Hamed Sepawi, the construction of Baleh HEP is in line with the international and industry best practices.
“We have a very structured Procurement Policies and Procedures (PPP) which is in line with international and industry best practices,
“This is to ensure that we work with the best in class contractors to deliver high quality projects that meet our requirements,” said Hamed in his welcoming speech.
“The signing of this contract is an avenue for sharing of expertise between CGGC and our own local contractor Untang Jaya Sdn Bhd. At the same time, it is also line with Sarawak Energy’s aim to support the State’s initiatives to maximise local and Bumiputera content in our procurement and contracts,” he added.
Describing the project as another significant generation infrastructure project after Murum HEP, Hamed also called on everyone involved in the project to uphold safety at all times, in line with SEB aspiration of achieving Health, Safety and Environment Excellent target.
Located on the Baleh River about 95Km upstream from the confluence with the Rejang River in Kapit, the dam will generate 1,285 megawatts of renewable energy once the project is complete.
The project is expected to be fully commissioned in 2025 and it will provide the additional renewable energy required to power Sarawak’s vision of becoming a developed state by 2030.
