Latest situation at Tenom HEP station
Published on: Sunday, April 21, 2024
By: Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau
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Shortly thereafter, accompanied by my Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and other Senior Managers of SESB, we visited the facility. In conjunction with this visit, the second SESB Dialogue Session with local community leaders was convened, fostering essential dialogue between stakeholders and management.
Since then, I have been vigilantly monitoring the aftermath of the unfortunate landslide incident that occurred in October of 2022. The severity of this event was unprecedented in the four-decade history of the power station.
The cascading avalanches of overburden, comprising large boulders, mud, rocks, and debris from fallen trees and shrubs, descended into the creek, with some portions infiltrating the water intake of the more than 4 km tunnel of the Tenom Pangi run-off river hydroelectric power station.
Adding to the already challenging clean-up process, a significant obstacle emerged. A massive boulder was found wedged halfway through the tunnel, bringing progress to a grinding halt.
The sheer size of the boulder rendered traditional mechanical methods ineffective, prolonging the clean-up efforts for months.
Two days before Hari Raya, on Monday, April 8th, my CEO and I seized the opportunity to visit the facility first-hand, gaining insight into the major obstacles hindering the long-delayed debris removal within the tunnel.
Among the various strategies employed, one innovative approach stood out, the utilization of advanced techniques aimed at circumventing the need for blasting activities to break down the large stones obstructing the removal process.
This forward-thinking method made through the collaborative effort between the contractors and SESB personnel was reportedly never been done before which not only streamlines operations but also minimizes environmental impact, showcasing a commitment to both efficiency and sustainability.
Following our visit, Engineer In charge, Ir. Ts. Nicholas Lim, briefed us on the extent of the clean-up efforts. It became apparent that the task extended beyond the 4-kilometer tunnel, encompassing the cleaning of debris, rocks, and mud within the three penstocks.
These penstocks, akin to “big pipes,” serve as crucial conduits linking the surge tank to the turbine.
The challenges presented by the cleaning process within the 18-inch diameter penstocks were particularly pronounced. Not only were they narrow, but the labour-intensive nature of the work compounded the difficulty.
Despite efforts to request contractors to operate around the clock, the implementation of 24-hour shifts proved challenging due to the scarcity of skilled workers available for such demanding tasks.
Having personally observed the endeavours, I developed a more profound comprehension of the obstacles encountered by the groups engaged in the restoration process. There is a massive amount of clean-up that has to be done in the tunnel and penstock.
The size of the work at hand cannot be emphasized, even with the resolute efforts of five committed teams. Every day, these workers go through the intricate tunnels, traversing an incredible 8 km in total back and forth, meticulously clearing every remnant of silt and impediment.
Their persistent dedication to ensuring thorough cleaning goes far beyond surface appearance.
In fact, thorough cleaning of the tunnel is not only necessary from a technical standpoint but also a crucial one in guaranteeing the hydroelectric plant’s dependability and safety.
With each particle of dirt and debris cleared away, we get closer to our objective of fully operating SJHTP again and keeping our word to provide the area with a steady and continuous power source.
A few local leaders including Tenom Member of Parliament YB Riduan Rubin accompanied me on this visit as well. Together we discussed the importance of ensuring the safety and security of the neighbourhood and even planned a safe prayer session to recognize the community’s resilience in the face of adversity.
A total of 66MW of generating capacity could have been produced by this hydro power plant alone, however due to the tremendous impact this natural catastrophe has had on SESB’s operations, the three generator turbine units have lost around 22MW of capacity each.
Disinformation about what caused the flooding event has to be cleared up. Allegations that the dam was responsible for the floods are baseless.
Such assertions are not only unfounded, but they also take attention away from the work being done to solve the current problems and guarantee the long-term viability of Sabah’s hydroelectric power generation.
Indeed, the operational mechanism of SJHTP is fundamental to understanding its role in power generation. Unlike conventional dam systems, SJHTP operates by diverting the flow of river water through a tunnel to the turbines at the power station
Looking ahead, SJHTP is scheduled for completion on the first of June 2024, providing all goes as planned. Once completed, the station will be able to supply electricity to Keningau, Tambunan, Beaufort, and Tenom.
Together, we stay optimistic and persistent in our prayers that the restoration work goes smoothly and that all people engaged are safe as we struggle to overcome obstacles and usher in a brighter, more sustainable future for Sabah’s energy infrastructure.
- The views expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of the Daily Express.
- If you have something to share, write to us at: [email protected]
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