LUBOK ANTU: The Batang Ai Hydroelectric Plant (HEP), Sarawak’s first hydropower project, has marked its 40th anniversary with a two-day, one-night knowledge-sharing visit organised by Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB).
Thirty participants joined the programme from Sept 5 to 6 as part of the Sarawak Energy Renewable Energy Forum (SAREF) 4.0.
Delegates included representatives from Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Hydropower Sustainability Alliance (HSA), Cypark Resources Berhad, as well as media practitioners from Sarawak Tribune, Suara Sarawak, TVS, Sarawak Public Communication Unit (UKAS) and Sin Chew Daily.
Commissioned in 1985, Batang Ai HEP was the first hydroelectric plant in Borneo, a milestone in Sarawak Energy’s renewable energy journey.
With an installed capacity of 94MW, the plant has provided reliable electricity supply for four decades, supporting economic growth and improving community livelihoods.
Located in Sri Aman Division, about 250 kilometres east of Kuching and near the Indonesian border, the plant sits within Batang Ai National Park and spans a water surface area of 90 square kilometres.
Participants were also briefed on the Batang Ai Floating Solar Project, Sarawak’s first large-scale floating solar installation.
The project, which began with the signing of its first engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract in 2024, achieved its commercial operation date (COD) in March this year from the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication (MUT).
Covering 1.3 square kilometres of reservoir surface, the installation comprises four floating islands with a total capacity of 50MWac (69.3MWp).
Sarawak Energy Solar Power Generation senior engineer Elvern Spencer said maintenance for the floating solar facility is carried out twice a year.
“One of the reasons is the environment around here. The air is not that polluted, it’s clean. From time to time, inside the control room, we can see the solar plant’s soiling rate.
“Based on data from the consultant, for this specific area we are only required to clean twice a year. It’s not the entire plant — just the most soiled panel areas,” he said when met by reporters yesterday (Sept 5).
He added that plans are underway to add another 14 floating solar islands in the Batang Ai area in the future.
Meanwhile, Batang Ai HEP senior maintenance manager Erwin Lamat credited Japanese work culture as an inspiration for the plant’s strong maintenance practices.
“We adopt and learn from their strict quality control. For me, that is the secret recipe for good maintenance practices on the frontline.
“So far, we haven’t changed any machines, but we have upgraded the control system in line with new technology,” he said.