Media fam trip unveils Malaysia’s largest HEP beauty, dedicated safety innovations

BINTULU: Sarawak Energy, the owner and operator of the Bakun Hydroelectric Plant (HEP) hosted a media familiarisation trip to the Bakun Dam – Malaysia’s largest hydropower facility – from Dec 11 to 13.

With its detailed and well-thought-out engineering, the dam is Southeast Asia’s tallest and largest, and the world’s third highest.

Accompanied by three representatives from Sarawak Energy’s corporate communications division, the trip’s objective was to allow media agencies to experience and tour the HEP in real-time and understand the plant’s vital role in Sarawak.

Leslie Stephen giving the safety briefing.

Together with New Sarawak Tribune, seven other media agencies including Suara Sarawak, Astro Awani and Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) tagged along the trip.

The trip started with a safety briefing and an introduction of the plant by Bakun HEP senior engineer Leslie Stephen Sating, and senior executive I Marcus Ngau Laeng.

Following this, the journalists were given purple helmets which sparked everyone to capture the exciting moment by taking selfies during the tour around the plant.

The tour included visits to various areas such as the main dam, power intake, spillway and the powerhouse.

Not only were the media representatives captured by the breath-taking view of the dam, they were amazed by the comprehensive structure to ensure the safety of the workers and community.

The comprehensive structure includes double safety railings to avoid accidents and meticulously planned safety instructions for workers.

After many pictures were taken to remember this rare and memorable experience, the day ended with a barbecue fellowship between the media representatives and Sarawak Energy.

At 205m high with a rockfill volume of 16.93 million m³, Bakun Dam still holds the title of the tallest and largest dam in Southeast Asia.

As the world’s third highest dam of its kind, the Bakun HEP is located on the Batang Balui, approximately 37km upstream of Belaga town.

Since 2017, Sarawak Energy has become the owner and operator of the Bakun HEP which has won many awards since its takeover.

Sarawak Energy operates as an energy development enterprise and a comprehensively integrated electricity provider, aiming to realise sustainable progress and prosperity for Sarawak by fulfilling the area’s demand for dependable, renewable energy sources.

Sarawak Energy representative explaining the building process of the powerhouse to the media.