KOTA KINABALU: Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) and its contractors have been clearing mud and debris from the Tenom Pangi Hydro Power Plant in the state’s interior to resume its operation.
The plant has been shut down for more than 18 months after heavy flooding and landslides caused mudflows and large rocks to block the intake gate.
Three of its turbines were inoperable after the incident on Oct 31, 2022.
The SESB initially expected the power plant to resume operations by March.
“The cost for the repair has now hit RM60mil, and the plant is now expected to resume full operations at the end of November,” said SESB general manager (distribution) Addie Ahmad, in a statement on Wednesday (June 12).
He said a contractor has been appointed to clear the debris in the powerhouse and surge tank in the hydro tunnel
“The clean-up is expected to be completed by the end of June. After that, river water will be channelled into the tunnel to kickstart the turbines,” Addie said.
He said SESB would also begin permanent slope protection work at critical points along the road into the station.
Addie said the fully operated SESB power plant at Sungai Padas supplied 66MW of electricity to the Sabah power grid, adding that each of the turbines could help generate 22MW.
“We would like to thank everyone involved directly or indirectly in the efforts to get the power plant running again,” he said.
