MIRI – The state has identified Sg Tutoh in the remote Baram district in interior northern Sarawak as the location for the construction of a cascading hydroelectric dam project.
Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg said the state will proceed with the process to build the Tutoh Dam because the local natives of Baram themselves want the dam project.
Speaking at the Sarawak Civil Service Award dinner in Kuching last night, Abang Johari said he had received many requests from Baram folk for the dam project to start.
“I was very surprised when I received feedback from the Baram folks asking the state to construct a cascading dam in the district after I recently mentioned that we are planning new hydroelectric dams in Sarawak based on the cascading dam design.
“These Baram folks were once very much against the construction of hydro dams.
“Now they want me to build the dam in Baram, and I support their request.
“We are looking at Sg Tutoh now, for building the cascading dam that will produce electricity for locals and for export to neighbouring countries,” he said.
Abang Johari said the Tutoh cascading dam will be based on a multilayered design where turbines can be built on top of each other like a cascading waterfall.
“That way we can produce electricity from several levels of the cascading dam.
“The dam will also serve to control the population of crocodiles in Baram and increase the fish population aside from producing electricity for the interior Baram population,” he said.
Abang Johari said the state wants to generate up to 20,000 megawatts of electricity through hydro dams plus another 15,000 megawatts through gas-turbine power plants.
“We want to eventually have at least 35,000 megawatts for local use and for export to neighbouring countries,” he said. – The Vibes, October 28, 2023
