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The Star: 9th October 2004
THE Government plans to finish the RM9.12bil Bakun dam in Sarawak by 2007, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, quelling speculation that the project would be scaled down or shelved.
The dam was needed to meet surging demand for energy in Malaysia, Abdullah said in an interview.
The Government had said in July it might review the project after struggling to find buyers for the power.
“Bakun will be able to provide the power that we need in the future,” the prime minister said. “We must think ahead. Power is not something that can be created overnight.”
Abdullah has cancelled or delayed two multi-billion-ringgit projects since taking over from Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad last November in a bid to narrow the budget deficit and free up funds for education and rural development.
Construction of the dam, which is now being undertaken by a group of seven companies led by Sime Darby Bhd, had been postponed twice since the early 1980s.
Last year, electricity supply in Sarawak exceeded demand by 17%, according to the Sarawak Electricity Supply Corp.
That figure will rise to 21% by 2012 with the additional power from Bakun.
The Government said in 2001 that Sabah may also take power from Bakun.
GIIG Capital Bhd, which is controlled by Dubai-based Mohammed Alabbar and Malaysian businessman Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, may build a US$2bil aluminum smelter in Sarawak. The Government is counting on the smelter to buy 1,000MW of Bakun’s power, making it the project’s biggest customer.
GIIG Capital had planned to buy 60% of state-owned Sarawak Hidro Sdn, which controls the dam, for RM945mil. But the deal collapsed because GIIG failed to meet some conditions, Abdullah said in January.
Sime Darby and its partners won the contract to build Bakun in August 2002, after submitting the lowest of four bids.
The group has since then reportedly asked the Government to review the terms of its contract, claiming there are unforeseen geological conditions that have caused a six-month delay.
Other members of the group include MTD Capital Bhd, Ahmad Zaki Resources Bhd, WCT Engineering Bhd, Edward & Sons Sdn Bhd, and closely-held Syarikat Ismail Ibrahim Sdn Bhd. China Water Resources & Hydropower Engi-neering Corp is the only foreign company in the group building the dam. – Bloomberg
Diesel-fired plants on last leg in Sarawak
By Desmond Davidsonnews@nst.com.my
KUCHING: Sarawak by 2013 will have enough hydroelectric plants to meet its power needs and allow the phasing out of its diesel-fired plants.
By 2020, the state could become a major exporter of electricity in the region.
Sarawak is well on the road to exploiting its natural resources like coal and water to generate power and make itself less dependent on oil.
State Second Minister for Planning and Resource Management Datuk Seri Awang Tengah Ali Hassan said with the completion of hydroelectric plants in Bakun, Merurum and Pelagus (on the upper reaches of the Rajang River) by 2013, Sarawak would be less dependent on diesel-powered plants.
"The state's generation capacity by then would be about 5,400Mw, surpassing the state's need of 3,000Mw," he said after opening CIMB Bank's Satok branch.
"There would be excess for export to the peninsula."
The Bakun hydroelectric plant, which is nearing completion, is capable of generating 2,400Mw, the Merurum plant, 1,000Mw, and the Pelagus plant, 2,000Mw.
Sarawak currently has the capacity to only generate 1,000Mw of power.
Awang Tengah said by 2020, the state with its hydroelectric, coal-fired and gas-fired plants, would have the potential of generating 28,000Mw of electricity.
"That is assuming all the hydro plants planned for in Baram, Limbang, and the highlands are completed."
He also said that a cluster of independent power producers were also emerging to supplement the state's generation capacity.
They were mostly large timber companies, which used sawdust and wood waste to fire their power plants.
Awang Tengah named public-listed Ta Ann as one of the companies that has now expressed desire to sell its excess electricity to Syarikat Sesco Bhd, the state utility company.
The state spent RM200 million on the purchase of diesel last year. The diesel was primarily for small power stations in rural areas that were not on the power grid.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Friday/National/2085478/Article/index_html
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/11/17/business/19503423&sec=business
Saturday November 17, 2007
Synergy to buy 60% of Sarawak Hidro
By IZWAN IDRIS
PETALING JAYA: Sime Darby Bhd says Synergy Drive Bhd has obtained the Government's approval to acquire a 60% stake in Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd, owner of the 2,400-megawatt Bakun dam project.
“Synergy Drive will proceed to commence negotiations with the Government of Malaysia on the terms of the acquisition,'' the company said in a statement to Bursa Malaysia yesterday.
Trading in the shares in Sime Darby, the main contractor for the RM6bil hydro-electric dam project, is currently suspended to facilitate the listing of Synergy Drive on Nov 30.
Sime Darby, Golden Hope Plantations Bhd, Kumpulan Guthrie Bhd and their subsidiaries have agreed to combine their businesses under Synergy Drive to create a conglomerate that is estimated to have a market value of more than RM60bil.
It would be the biggest company listed on Bursa Malaysia, with five core operations: plantations, property, heavy equipment, motor and power and utilities.
“With the letter of intent (LOI), we can start work with all our vendors,'' Synergy Drive chief executive Datuk Seri Ahmad Zubir Murshid said at a press briefing yesterday.
He said Synergy Drive, with its healthy balance sheet post-listing, would have the financial muscle to undertake such massive projects.
It was reported earlier that Sime Darby had expressed its intention to the Government to take up a key interest in Sarawak Hidro. It also wanted to play a leading role in the proposed undersea power cable project.
Analysts said the power and utilities business could emerge as a major contributor to Synergy Drive if it managed to secure both projects.
The 700km submarine cable is said to cost RM9bil. The project is likely to be undertaken by a consortium that may include Tenaga Nasional Bhd.
The Government, however, has yet to formally decide on the project.
Zubir said Synergy Drive hoped to bring electricity generated from Bakun to the peninsula beginning 2013, assuming the Government accepted its proposal.
Construction works on the Bakun dam were expected to be completed by 2009, Zubir said, with equipment testing and other works expected to take another year.
Sarawak Hidro was set up by the Finance Ministry to take over the Bakun dam project after it was temporarily shelved in 1997 due to the Asian economic crisis. The mega project was revived in 2000.
Hmmm! They always say that, don't they?: :rolleyes:
December 10, 2007 10:52 AM
Bakun Dam A Harbinger Of Better Days For Sungai Asap Folks
By Edward Subeng Stephen
BELAGA, Dec 10 (Bernama) -- It is 6.30am on an exceptionally cold and misty morning in the Sungai Asap Resettlement Scheme, about 30 kilometers from the site of biggest hydroelectric dam in Southeast Asia, the Bakun Dam.
Retired barter trader Bungan Abok, 83, and his family are among the 101 families staying at Uma Belor, one of the 15 modern longhouses constructed at Sungai Asap scheme. The other schemes are at Penyuan and Koyan.
About 12 years ago, on mornings like this, Bungan would feel nervous realizing the fact there would be many children on the treacherous journey to school by boat along the Balui River from his former Longhouse in Long Sah A.
Bungan and the rest then had every reason to worry as the boats carrying their children had to travel through the torrent while avoiding timber debris, semi submerged and submerged boulders and one or two rapid along the way.
Today, the settlers who were once skeptical over their relocation from their ancestral land to make way for the RM8 billion dam have undergone a remarkable transformation.
REMARKABLE TRANSFORMATION
Presently 10,000 people comprising of 1,693 families representing five main ethnic groups - the Kenyah, Kayan, Lahanan, Ukit and Penan - are residing in the three schemes.
Generations of settlers depended on the Balui River as their route to the outside world and most settlers owned longboats.
Today, on the contrary, most do not own longboats that were once the most prized possession for the riverine communities.
With the compensation money from their displacement, they bought four-wheel drives or the very least, a Kancil automobile or a motorcycle that now serves as their favourite mode of transport.
The children today ride on four-wheel drives to schools and a rough estimate puts the number of four-wheel drives at 150 in the schemes.
They now enjoy treated water and 24-hour power supply. Refrigerators, washing machines or the Astro satellite television, once the privilege of town folks is now ubiquitous here. Schools, churches, community halls, a health centre and modern retail shops are all accessible within minutes.
SOME STILL MISS THE GOOD OLD DAYS
Asap community leader Penghulu Saging Bit, 50, related that the older folks do get nostalgic on their good old days and their regular "Kuman Bahek" (picnics by the river).
The Balui provides them with fish like the "Empurau", (a fresh water carp) while in the vast jungle they used to hunt the "Payau" (Sambar deer) and the "Baboi" (wild boar).
However, the new life at the schemes has its own joys that some won't even dream of going back.
"Accessibility is our greatest pleasure here. We can travel just about anytime, anywhere and at a lower cost. In the old days, it was not only expensive but dangerous especially with the notorious Murum and the Pelagus rapids.
"Previously, it used to be a daunting task each time we had to send some sick relatives or pregnant women suffering from pre-natal complications to the nearest clinic in Belaga, about 40 kilometers downstream, especially at night," he said.
EDUCATION AND MORE GRADUATES
Penghulu Saging stays at the Uma Belor longhouse. Of the 720 registered dwellers, only about 200 are still staying there. The rest are making a living either in Miri, Kuching, Sibu, Kapit and even in Kuala Lumpur.
This shows employment opportunities are limited but Penghulu Saging is confident all that will change when the Bakun Dam is ready.
"Let us be realistic. I do not think they will want to earn only meagre wages as plantation workers or as farmers here," he said.
Then again, farming land is fast becoming scarce with huge tracts in the vicinity being allocated to big companies for oil palm and timber plantations.
He believes the youths in the settlement will have the best education. As a matter of fact, his longhouse's vision is to produce at least a graduate from every family by 2020.
This is not a far-fetched dream as Uma Belor has produced 80 graduates, the biggest number in the whole of Belaga District.
They are professionals in the oil and gas industry, commercial banks, lecturers and civil servants, and successful businessmen all over the nation or overseas.
"Our hopes are that our children will be holding important positions in the Bakun management," he added.
GOOD POTENTIAL OF EARNING TOURISTS DOLLAR
Living near the Bakun Dam, Penghulu Saging expects the settlers to earn the tourists dollar when the dam is ready.
People will be curious to visit it, given its reputations for its sheer size, height and the controversies. It will flood an area of 69,500 hectares, the size of Singapore.
The Bakun Dam when completed would be the second highest CFRD (concrete face rock fill dam) in the world at 205 metres and is expected to be operational by 2010 to generate 2,400 mega watts of green power.
"We are thinking of doing homestays, rearing fish in cages in the dam and sell our handicrafts.
"Despite staying in modern longhouses, we still hold strongly to our traditions and culture," he says.
He says each of the five communities have their own unique dances, costumes, music, food, handicraft, which they are ready to share with the world.
Even their cemeteries that feature elaborate and colourful burial huts for the "Maren" (aristocrats) are a sight to behold.
Meanwhile, the government, in its bid to sustain the settlers, has allocated a sum of RM10 million under the Ninth Malaysia Plan to spur pepper cultivation through collective efforts.
Even the reclusive Penan minority are trying their hands in pepper cultivation, a clear indication that the Bakun Dam is also slowly changing their nomadic lifestyle.
-- BERNAMA
Non-specific link:
http://www.bernama.com.my/
10 deals at 5th corridor launch
KUCHING: At least 10 memorandums of understanding will be signed at the launch of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score).
Score, one of five regional corridors being developed throughout the country, will be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at Bintulu Promenade in Bintulu on Feb 11.
State Information Department deputy director Sharifah Mariam Syed Dawilah said yesterday that Abdullah, who will be accompanied by his wife Datin Paduka Seri Jeanne Abdullah, is also expected to go to Sibu during the one-day visit to Sarawak.
Abdullah's Sibu visit In Sibu, Abdullah will open the Centennial School Hall and administrative centre of SMB St Elizabeth and attend an all-community dinner at SMB Sacred Heart.
Score, in the state's central region, stretches 320km along the coast from Tanjung Manis in Mukah to Similajau in Bintulu, extending into the hinterland and covering remote, semi-urban and urban centres of growth.
At the core of the corridor, covering about 70,000 sq km with a population of 607,800, are the energy resources, particularly hydropower (20,000 megawatts), coal (1.46 billion tonnes) and natural gas (40.9 trillion cubic feet).
Score will be the fifth development corridor in the country after Iskandar Development Region in Johor, the Northern Corridor Economic Region, the East Coast Economic Region and the Sabah Development Corridor as among the strategies formulated to achieve balanced development throughout the country.
While Score welcomes all types of domestic and foreign direct investment, 10 of the 67 industries identified are considered as priority industries -- oil-based, aluminium, metal-based, glass, tourism, palm oil, timber-based, livestock, fishing and aquaculture and marine engineering.
The Regional Corridor Development Authority has been set up to serve as a one-stop agency to facilitate investment activities in Score and to develop the central region and Sarawak into a developed state by 2020. -- Bernama
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/National/2150707/Article/index_html
Sarawak set to score with smelter
By : Firdaus Abdullah
KUCHING: “It is not all about building the wealth of our company. We are more interested in co-existing with the people of Sarawak and Malaysia in general.
http://www.nst.com.my/Sunday/National/20080210080957/insidepix2?display=xsmall
[Photo:New Straits Times - Tents set up for tomorrow's launch of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy at the Bintulu Promenade, near the mouth of the Sungai Kemena Bintulu.]
"We want to create and leave a positive legacy in the community. A legacy that everyone would be proud of and be able to bond with.
“You could call it the catalyst for holistic growth and development,” said Rio Tinto Alcan Ltd (RTA) general manager of aluminium smelter development Matt Liddy.
RTA is part of the Rio Tinto Group, a multinational mining and resources group founded in 1873. It is involved in coal, iron, copper, uranium, gold and diamond mining throughout the world, apart from producing aluminium.
RTA, the world leader in the aluminium industry, and Malaysian conglomerate Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd have tied up to form Sarawak Aluminium Company (Salco).
Salco is to build and operate the proposed RM7 billion aluminium smelter plant in Similajau.
The project is the first and the single largest direct investment in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score).
Score, a long-term development master plan encompassing a range of high-tech and energy-intensive projects, will be launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Bintulu tomorrow.
The corridor, in the central region of Sarawak, stretches for 320km along the coast from Tanjung Manis to Similajau, extending into the hinterland, covering remote, semi-urban and urban centres of growth.
Score’s main engine of growth is the abundance of hydroelectric power which is expected to act as the catalyst for economic growth via various large-scale industries and their spin-offs.
The smelter project alone is targeted to contribute up to RM2.4 billion annually to Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product and directly generate about 1,500 jobs.
Salco has set Score in motion with the completion a RM15 million pre-feasibility study.
“There is a high level of commitment from the government to ensure the success of this project. There is mutual agreement and understanding of the long-term benefits and spin-offs for the company and the community where we operate.
“RTA’s expertise and capability have been tested and proven in more than 20 projects worldwide. We have been doing this for almost three decades. We know exactly what we are doing,” Liddy said.
The Salco smelter will rely almost entirely on power from the Bakun Hydroelectric project, which is more than 90 per cent complete.
Aware of the environmental concerns highlighted by certain non-governmental organisations, Liddy said that RTA was not a new kid on the block in the smelter industry.
“We have the framework to ensure full compliance with the environmental standards here,” Liddy said.
Once developed, the project is expected to create another 5,000 to 8,000 jobs in downstream aluminium-based industries and small enterprises in Similajau.
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/National/20080210080957/Article/index_html
Several dam projects planned under Score
By JACK WONG
KUCHING: Sarawak Energy Bhd is going ahead with the development of several big hydroelectric dams to power the energy-intensive industries planned under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (Score) in the state’s central region.
Planned for development over 22 years, Score covers 70,709 sq km and stretches along the coast of Tanjung Manis (where an integrated timber complex and deep sea fishing port are located) in Sarikei Division to Similajau in Bintulu Division.
Plans are already under way to develop the Murum dam (990 MW), Balleh dam (950 MW) and Pelagus dam (770 MW) – all in the upper reaches of the Rejang river.
Also identified for development are the Baram dam and Limbang dam, both in northern Sarawak, which could each generate 1,000 MW of electricity.
These proposed dams are, however, smaller than the federal-funded Bakun dam project, which could generate up to 2,400 MW.
Score, the country’s fifth and last regional development corridor, was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in Bintulu yesterday.
These hydro dams will deliver bulk energy at relatively low cost and with reliability to the energy-intensive industries in Score, according to a state government booklet published in conjunction with the corridor’s launch.
Sarawak has identified hydro potential that can generate some 28,000 MW. Sarawak Energy group is the state’s sole fully-integrated electric utility, responsible for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.
“With solid financial credentials, Sarawak Energy looks set to fulfil the state’s ambition to attract energy-intensive industries,” said the state government.
“With Score in place, industries involved in paper and pulp production, polysilicon manufacturing and mineral processing, such as aluminium and nickel smelting, which require a large quantum of power at very competitive tariffs, are therefore being encouraged to establish operations in the corridor.”
An aluminium smelter, the first energy-intensive industry in the corridor, is expected to begin operations next year. Initial power consumption by the smelter is projected to be 90 MW and to would increase to 630 MW in 2011.
A second larger aluminium smelter has been planned for late 2010, requiring about 900 MW.
The booklet says the potential exists for Sarawak to export between 3,000 MW and 4,000 MW of power to Peninsula Malaysia via 500kV high-voltage direct current in overhead and undersea cables.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/2/12/business/20291390&sec=business
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/2/12/business/20291390&sec=business
Friday February 15, 2008
Scale of SCORE project worries environmental group
MIRI: An environmental group is concerned that some 77,000sq kilometres of central Sarawak would be developed under the Sarawak Renewable Energy Corridor (SCORE).
Borneo Resources Institute (BRI) coordinator Raymond Abin said the land area, covering 57% of the state, had a huge variety of rare plants and animals, and was ancestral land to native folk.
He said the public was not informed that such a large area would be developed before SCORE’s launching on Monday.
“Why is there no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) carried out in the affected areas?
“From information we gathered, this region affected by the SCORE project has a vast and rare bio-diversity.
“It is quite frightening to think of its impact to the environment and to the climate if such a huge area of forests is to be cut,” Abin said.
SCORE has attracted an initial investment of RM110bil via 12 memorandum of understandings signed by local and foreign companies, including five major deals to churn out electricity via hydro-dams and coal-powered generation plants in the region covered by the development corridor.
A 320km stretch of coastal land between Tanjung Manis in Mukah Division and Similajau in Bintulu Division would function as the main platform for the setting of 10 major industries, such as aluminium smelting, steel production, shipyard building and other heavy industries.
New power plants would be set up to produce electricity using hydro, coal and gas as their main feedstocks, so that 20,000MWs of electricity would be produced to power the industries.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/2/15/nation/20334192&sec=nation
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/11/17/business/19503423&sec=business
Business
April 17, 2008 20:21 PM
Hydropower To Propel Sarawak To Become Regional Powerhouse
KUCHING, April 17 (Bernama) -- Sarawak has the potential of becoming the powerhouse for the Association of South-East Asian Nations (Asean), former Energy, Water and Communications Minister, Datuk Seri Lim Keng Yaik, said Thursday.
He said Sarawak was endowed with abundant hydropower potential which could produce a huge amount of electricity at a low cost to benefit the Asean members.
"Beside the Bakun hydropower project, which can produce between 4,000 megawatt (MW) and 5,000 MW of electricity, the extension of the Murum and Balleh dams will produce plenty of electricity too," he told reporters after paying a courtesy call on Sarawak Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, at his office here.
Dr Lim said the Sarawak Energy Board has adopted a new strategy to transform the state into an exporter of electricity to Peninsular Malaysia and other countries within the region through the Asean power grid.
However, he said, the Bakun project, which was expected to be completed by 2011, still needed the undersea cables to transport the power and this would take at least another three years.
"Hydropower should be exploited to attract investments in aluminium and steel industries," he said.
On another note, Dr Lim said, Sarawak was poised to become the information and communications technology (ICT) hub of the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East Asean Growth Area.
"Sarawak can provide the backbone to these countries by building up as a telecommunications hub.
"I still have my connection with the ministry. I can act as go-between to talk on behalf of Sarawak. I voluntarily come forward to play my part to promote Sarawak as an ICT hub," he said.
Asked whether he would be an adviser or consultant for the state government in promoting Sarawak as an ICT hub, Dr Lim said: "No need. I do for free to help my friend (Taib)."
-- BERNAMA
Non-specific links:
http://www.bernama.com.my/
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/11/17/business/19503423&sec=business
Sime says no delay in Bakun cable project
By Hanim Adnan
SIME Darby Bhd does not anticipate any delay in its US$2bil Bakun undersea transmission cable project in Sarawak despite recent market talk that the project would likely miss its targeted deadline in 2013.
A spokesman told StarBiz that the undersea cable project at this stage was on track and negotiations with the involved parties are still on going.
Of late, many quarters have expressed concern over the progress of the Bakun transmission system, citing snags in the terms and agreement of the project with the involved parties.
An industry source claimed that Sime Darby, which has a 60% stake in the revived undersea cable project, still has yet to sign the heads of agreement with its consortium partners Tenaga Nasional Bhd and the Ministry of Finance, which have a 20% stake each.
The source told StarBiz that work must start soon to enable the first undersea power cable to deliver electricity by 2013 and the second cable in 2015.
Among the areas of concern is the delay in the announcement on the winner of the pre-qualification tenders for the Bakun transmission system. This includes the design, manufacture, testing, delivery, installation and commissioning for the high-voltage direct-current link for power transmission to Peninsula Malaysia.
Furthermore, Sime Darby is perceived as being “slow” to wrap up the negotiations on tariffs and formalise a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Tenaga on the Bakun project.
The Bakun hydroelectric dam project is targeted to generate 2,400MW of power, of which 1,600MW will be transmitted to Peninsula Malaysia via underwater cables.
Market observers said a potential big user of Bakun power output would be the proposed Sarawak Aluminium Co Sdn Bhd's (SALCO) RM7bil aluminium smelter plant in Sarawak, which is believed to be eyeing for at least 900MW.
SALCO is a joint venture between Rio Tinto Alcan Group and Cahya Mata Sarawak Bhd (CMS).
Rio Tinto Alcan general manager (smelter development) Matt Liddy told StarBiz that SALCO had, to-date, not signed any agreements with Tenaga or Sime Darby for the provision of power.
However, both Rio Tinto Alcan and CMS had, in February, signed a memorandum of understanding with Sarawak Energy Bhd to allow negotiations on supply of power to commence.
“Our discussions are underway and a PPA is expected to be signed in the coming months,” he added.
Liddy said the price of power was yet to be decided but the long-term availability of reliable and internationally competitive power supply was one of the fundamental elements for building a new aluminium smelter.
He said: “A final decision to proceed with our smelter project will not be made until we know the requisite infrastructure will be in place and availability of energy is confirmed.”
The initial capacity of the SALCO smelter is between 550,000 and 720,000 tonnes and will require about 900 to 1,200MW of power, Liddy said.
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/19/business/21285330&sec=business
June 26, 2008 14:19 PM
TNB Can Lay Cables For Bakun Project If It Wants To, Says Nor Md Yakcop
KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) can take up the role of laying the cables from the Bakun hydroelectric power project in Sarawak to Peninsular Malaysia if it wants to, Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said Thursday.
"TNB can request to manage the project, We don't have any obstacles (but) whether or not the government will approve it, that's another question," Nor Mohamed said.
"The laying of the cables is important," he said when asked by reporters if TNB could take up the stake or lay the cables after officiating a business leaders' forum here.
Nor Mohamed said the government felt that laying of the undergound cables was crucial to optimise hydro power usage and it would discuss with TNB and relevant parties to take follow-up action to find alternative ways.
Asked if this concerned taking up the stake or laying of the cables, he said: "No, it's because TNB will be the one using the energy."
Asked whether the project will be offered to foreign companies, the minister said: "We have not made a decision yet. At the moment, we feel that it would be better for it to be given to local firms (but) we have not closed that option."
On the operations of the Bakun dam, Nor Mohamed said: "That is not an issue as it will be owned by the government and it could continue to so (but) what is important are the underground cables."
As for the cost of the project reportedly at RM9 billion to 10 billion, he said: "We have to make sure costs do not increase significantly. Price incease has to be reasonable. We don't want any suppliers to quote too high a price and we have to be careful."
Nor Mohamed also said that the government would take action to ensure that prices were fair and reasonable.
As to whether the project could be shelved if the price was too high, he declined to answer, saying it was a policy decision.
The issue came about after Sime Darby Bhd announced Wednesday that it had pulled out from the Bakun Hydroelectric project, saying it was not economical under its business strategy.
In November 2007, Sime Darby received letters of intent from the Finance Ministry and the Economic Planning Unit of the Prime Ministers Department advising that the government had given an in-principle agreement for Sime Darby to hold a majority stake in Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd (SHSB), the owner of the Bakun Dam, and Trans Co, the company developing the high voltage direct current transmission link.
The letters of intent allowed Sime Darby to begin detailed discussions on the cost of the undersea cable project as well as outline tariff proposals for Tenaga Nasional Bhd.
The cable project will involve laying two 700-kilometre submarine cables from Sarawak to Johor. The first cable is expected to have been ready for transmission by 2013 and the second by 2015.
Asked if the decision by Sime Darby would delay the laying of cables, Nor Mohamed said: "It wont delay it too much. I think we still stick to 2013. Even if there is a delay it will be 2014 but we try to keep it to 2013."
-- BERNAMA
Non-specific link:
http://www.bernama.com.my/
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Tuesday/National/2150707/Article/index_html
Keeping Sarawak sweet in the current political conflict, perhaps?:
Tuesday July 8, 2008 MYT 2:39:39 PM
Sarawak to build railway network
By STEPHEN THEN
BINTULU: Sarawak is to embark on a pioneer project to build a railway network, the first ever railway project in this vast state.
The railway project will have a dual purpose - to provide a relatively cheaper yet reliable form of mass transportation for the people, and to facilitate the movement of raw materials and goods for the construction of the projects that will be carried out in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE).
Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud on Tuesday said a railway system is the most viable and cheapest form of fast transportation for massive bulk of both goods and people.
''This will be the first railway in Sarawak. The main area involved will span the (320km) stretch between Similajau in Bintulu Division and Tanjung Manis in Mukah division. That area comprises 57% of Sarawak.
''The rail project will be a viable alternative of transportation in view of the constantly rising costs of fuel and other costs.
''The SCORE project will bring tremendous benefits and opportunities, not only in terms of industries, but also other spin-offs for the people of the state,'' he said at the state-level Conference of District officers and Residents held in this gas capital of Sarawak.
Taib, who is also the state's 1st Finance Minister and state's 1st Minister for Planning and Resources Management, however, did not disclose the cost of the railway project nor the date for the project to commence.
He said the Government will be spending some RM67bil to develop the basic infrastructure needed for SCORE to proceed.
''We have now obtained up to RM300bil in investment pledges. The majority will be from private sectors,'' he said.
Taib said the SCORE project will also see the development of the coal industry, which Sarawak has more than one billion tonnes in reserve.
He noted that up to 20,000 MWs of power will be developed within the next 30 years and during that period, Sarawak will be able to provide cheap and efficient electricity to the people in the state and country.
A RM1.5bil plant to produce halal food will also be constructed in the region, he added.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/7/8/nation/20080708134037&sec=nation
See also previous post on outline plan for Sarawak's 1st railway
Classic example of male Malaygalomania?: ;)
Thursday August 14, 2008
Sarawak plans to have world-class racing circuit
http://thestar.com.my/archives/2008/8/14/southneast/se_02taib.jpg
[Photo: The Star - Taib: ‘We are looking at a 3.6 km racing track, the minimum distance required for international recognition’.]
KUCHING: Sarawak will have its own world-class racing circuit to give locals an opportunity to take up motor sports, said Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
Taib said the state government would pursue all necessary efforts to ensure the project is included in the 10th Malaysia Plan in line with the nation’s objective to promote motor sports in the country.
“We are looking at a 3.6 km racing track, the minimum distance required for international recognition,” he told reporters after witnessing the sixth and final round of the Malaysia AAM Petronas Sprinta Cub Prix at the Sarawak Stadium Circuit here on Sunday.
He added that a suitable site would be identified for the project and also said he hoped Petronas would sponsor more sporting activities like a jet skiing championship in Sarawak.
On Sunday’s races, Mohd Edzuan Abdul Gani of Motul KMC YY Pang won the expert category. Ahmad Fazrul Sham of Shell Advance Majo Motor Race was second while third place was won by Azlan Sham Kamaruzaman of Petronas Sprinta Ah Hong.
In the novice category, Mohd Adli Salihin (Motul KMC YY Pang) was first, Mohd Hafiz Sharudin (Khi ARC Racing) second and Mohd Rashid Abdul Razak (Petronas Sprinta Raceline) third.
The Wira EPG category was won by Mohd Rozaiman Mohd Said (SKF Enduro Racing) while Zaidy Mohd Zaifaizal (Motul KMC YY Pang) and Ahmad Abdul Kadir (Faito Boon Kui Racing) finished second and third respectively.
In the race for the Yamaha Givi Cup, Mohd Hafiz Abdul Jalil emerged tops with Azrie Ali Hassan and Hasmari Gunari second and third respectively. — Bernama
http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/8/14/southneast/1789504&sec=southneast
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