Jun 14, 2017 14:01

Surbana Jurong secures key hydroelectric project in Malaysia

Baleh hydroelectric project
The 190m high concrete-faced rockfill dam will be located on the Baleh River (above), about 95km from its confluence with the Rajang River in Kapit District

SMEC, member of the Surbana Jurong Group, Hydropower & Dams (Southeast Asia division) has won a contract from Sarawak Energy Berhad to provide construction supervision for the Baleh Hydroelectric Project (HEP). Located in Sarawak, East Malaysia, the Baleh HEP will generate 1,285MW of renewable energy when it is operational in 2025.

The team’s deep expertise in design and construction of concrete-faced rockfill dams helped to secure the win. Prior to this contract, the team had completed Baleh HEP’s tender design and evaluation in 2015.

Andreas Neumaier, Functional General Manager, Hydropower & Dams said, “The Baleh HEP forms part of the Sarawak Corridor for Renewable Energy (SCORE), an initiative by the Sarawak government to develop the State’s hydropower potential. SCORE aims to attract energy-intensive industries which will provide economic development and create employment opportunities to Sarawak. With this win, SMEC continues to be recognised as one of the world’s leading consulting engineering companies in the hydropower and dams sector.”

Project scope includes a review of the contractor’s design calculations and drawings, and construction supervision for the two 12m diameter diversion tunnels, 190m high concrete-faced rockfill dam and 20,000m3/s capacity radial gated spillway.

The project is expected to be completed in 2024. Other downstream work opportunities include design and construction supervision packages of the access road and operator’s village.