NEWS & UPDATE

KUCHING
14 APRIL 2025

Sarawak Energy will carry out a controlled release of water from the reservoir of the 2,520MW Bakun Hydroelectric Plant (HEP) from 18 April to 9 May 2025. This scheduled operation, lasting three weeks, has received prior approval from the Sarawak Rivers Board with advance notice provided to nearby communities through public announcements and social media at least three days before the release.

The release is a proactive measure to safeguard the dam’s structural integrity and regulate water levels both upstream and downstream. Over the past few weeks, the Bakun Reservoir has successfully retained more than 700 million cubic metres of water – equivalent to 280,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools - greatly reducing flooding risks downstream. The dam continues to play a crucial role in flood mitigation and water regulation across the region.

As part of Sarawak Energy’s standard hydropower operations, seasonal water releases are essential for effective reservoir and river level management. During this period, river levels downstream of Bakun may rise. However, water discharge will be carefully controlled to minimise impact, and residents are advised to exercise caution as water levels and currents may be affected.

The previous controlled release was carried out from 24 October to 9 November 2024 and was completed ahead of schedule after the reservoir levels returned to the normal operating range, demonstrating the efficiency of Sarawak Energy’s standard water management operations.

Key to these efforts is Sarawak Energy’s dynamic water dispatch management system, implemented in 2020. This tool incorporates weather and inflow forecasting to enable more accurate modelling of water releases and long-term reservoir level predictions up to six months in advance. It is actively used at all three of Sarawak Energy’s hydroelectric plants in Batang Ai, Murum, and Bakun.

All operations are aligned with international best practices, adhering to standards set by the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) and the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS), ensuring environmental, technical, and community considerations are addressed.

Sarawak Energy remains committed to public safety and transparency in its operations. For the latest updates, the public is encouraged to follow Sarawak Energy’s official social media channels or the SEB cares app.