Bakun Dam

Bakun Dam is located on the Batang Balui, a tributary of the Sg. Rajang, 37 km upstream of Belaga Batang Balui has a length of 341 km and 15 354 m2 catchment area with the highest peak originating from Mount Makati at 1360 m. Bakun Dam was constructed on the sole purpose for hydroelectric energy to meet the high demand from the industries instead of domestic. The dam will have an ultimate installed capacity of 2400 MW comprising 4 x 300 MW turbines in the first phase and 4 x 300 MW turbines in the second phase.

Location of Bakun

Built as a Concrete Faced Rock Fill Dam (CFRD), The height of the dam is 207 m with an approximate crest length of 748 m and a fill volume of 117M m3. The flood area of the dam is 69 640 hectares and has a catchment area over 1.5M hectares. The dam is complete with 8 power tunnels, powerhouse and spillway Township is also built within the area of the dam for employees and owners of Bakun Dam. The accommodations inclusive of houses, barracks, guest chalets and club house.

Bakun project area

Township

Issues on Bakun

Resettlement Safety Hydropower

Issues on Bakun - resettlement

Resettlement had involved the relocation of the population of the upper Balui in the Belaga river system. The state of Sarawak through the State Planning Unit had created a new section known as Special Task Section for Resettlement had been in charge on the relocation of the indigenous people More than 10 000 people from 15 different communities have been forced to move to Kampung Sungau Asap and Kampung Sungai Koyan through a codename of Operation Exodus.

At the resettlement area, people are suffering from poverty, malnutrition, unemployment and adverse socioeconomic conditions. There are claims that the house units at the Asap Resettlement Scheme were not in accordance with that promised in the relocation plan (Swain & Ang, 2004). There were further claims that, the compensation have not been fully fulfilled until present time. They were promised 15 hectares per family before relocation instead the actual acreage allocated for them finally was only 3 acres. Due to deteriorating conditions of the resettlement area, some communities have moved back to their original homes in the inundation zone by building jelatong and staying in the vicinity of the dam. They have established new villages near the dam fish, hunt and farm the land nearby the dam.

Issues on Bakun - Safety

A group of citizen who residing downstream of Bakun Dam claimed that they have been kept in the dark over the content of the Emergency Rescue Plan (EPR). The Sarawak Conservation Alliance for Natural Environment (Scane) has called upon the government to make public its Emergency Rescue Plan (ERP) prior to the impoundment of the dam.

The Sarawak Hidro managing director and chief executive officer Zulkifle Osman claimed that the dam will not break due to its solid foundation and has been in perfect condition since the impoundment in October 2011 Upon completion, the dam will be scrutinised and check by an international independent panel of experts once in every 10 years. He further assured that the dam is monitored on daily basis and reading will be sent to the state governments security committee once every three to four months for review.

Issues on Bakun-Hydropower

Bakun Dam coincides the core of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) in energy resources, particularly in hydropower, coal and natural gas. The estimated investment on the projects is RM94 bil and in 2030 an investment of RM300 will transform Sarawak into an industrialized state and energy hub of Borneo. Therefore, the state needs to guarantee a sustainable energy supply at a competitive rate in order to encourage continuous inflows of investments and organic growth

Adding up all the dams total combined capacity is 4500 MW. With the excessive power available there is an issue where the power should go and how they can be fully utilized for people. Suggestions are bound to leave the dams idle such as Bakun Dam

Mitigation efforts - resettlement

The solution to social problems created must be solved through policy formulation and legal frameworks That must be complimented with the followings:

A population and baseline income survey as part of feasibility study A detailed resettlement plan for peoples socio-economic re-establishment A relocation timetable correlated with advances in civil works A distinct budget for resettlement

Still not available in developing country

Mitigation efforts safety: Emergency Action Plan (PNSB)

Level 1 Alert Low Triggering event Spill expected Action Release reservoir water from the lower level of the draw-off tower 2 Medium High rainfall and spill Set up Emergency Task Team. Check with Jabatan Kajicuaca

continues. Reservoir level on the forward weather forecasting. above maximum. Consult SMHB for advice on rapid drawdown of reservoir.

Rapid increase in seepage Inform District Office of possible flooding close to the dam quantity and seepage water and need for evacuation. Contact Civil Defense Dept. To

is murky
3 High High rainfall and

standby.
spill Contact emergency services and place them on full alert.

continues. Reservoir level Inform them of the need to establish emergency control

above maximum
Dam failure

centre and evacuation of affected area as per inundation

considered maps.

possible. 4 Critical Dam failure likely Contact emergencies control centre to start full evacuation

For alert level 3 and 4, JKAS will contact the followings organization:

State administration to inform the potential disaster and mobilize disaster relief machineries Army to set up control centre, start evacuation procedure and maintain civil order, Police to start evacuation procedures and maintain civil order District Offices and Civil Defense Department to aid the evacuation procedures. Medical services to be alert on receiving casualties Fire and rescue services to be alert for disaster relief and rescue Local radio and TV stations to coordinate information services and warnings to the public Air force for possible air transport

Mitigation efforts excessive energy

The National Energy Policy 1979 was aimed to ensure the provision of sufficient, secure and costeffective energy supplies by developing both renewable and non renewable energy using least cost options and diversification of supply sources both within and outside Malaysia. Therefore, excessive power of Bakun Dam should be utilized accordingly to the energy needs inventory of the policy, not only for industrial but also domestic.

Conclusion