No final decision on Trusan and Baram dams yet

THE assertion by Ba’Kelalan assemblyman Baru Bian on Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd and Gamuda Bhd being strong contenders for the construction of the Trusan and Baram dams is not accurate.

Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said though there is a Strategic Collaboration Agreement signed between Sarawak Energy and Gentari Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of Petronas) in June, it was to explore opportunities to collaborate in developing and deploying clean energy solutions in Sarawak.

“I would like to reiterate here, there has been no final decision made as yet on Trusan and Baram dams,” he said when delivering his ministerial winding up speech at the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting here today.

Sarawak Energy, he said, is currently carrying out a feasibility study to develop the Trusan Hydroelectric project and looking at a cascading dam’s scheme, where all key stakeholders will be engaged including local representatives, leaders and communities in the area.

“We have yet to make any decision to proceed with the Trusan or Baram dams at this stage,” he stressed.

Julaihi also said with the passing of the Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2023, this opens up opportunities for Sarawak to develop its hydropower potential through cascading dams.

“Cascading dams are our new approach to develop our hydropower potential, because it does not require a large reservoir or inundate a large area of land but relies on river flow.

“This new approach can be more sustainable, minimising environmental and social impacts,” he explained.

The passing of this Bill, he said, also provides opportunities for private, public, and local communities to participate through equity in the development of hydropower with Sarawak Energy if the local community wants the hydro project to be developed in the area.

He assured that Sarawak Energy adopts International Hydropower Sustainability Standards in carrying out its projects in line with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) policies, where the communities and local leaders will be engaged early in the project implementation.

“Hopefully, there will be no interference by outsiders influencing the local community in the area,” he said.