[Ferro-Alloys.com] Construction of the Baleh Hydroelectric Project (HEP) is targeted to begin next October, with design works expected to start this August. This comes after state-owned power provider Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) awarded the main civil works contract to a joint venture between China Gezhouba Group Company Ltd and local firm Untang Jaya Sdn Bhd, following the state government’s endorsement in March.

The contract covers designing and building the main dam, intake structures, spillway and penstocks.“The (contract) award is an important milestone for Baleh HEP, one of Sarawak’s largest infrastructure projects," said SEB group chief executive officer Sharbini Suhaili.

“The HEP will generate an additional 1,285MW of renewable energy to the grid when it is fully commissioned in 2025, and will help to meet Sarawak’s vision for sustainable growth and prosperity,” Sharbini added in a statement. He said that the 188m high concrete-face rock-filled dam will be located on Sungai Baleh, about 95km upstream from its confluence with Sungai Rajang in the Kapit division.Sharbini also said that while the project will not involve any community resettlement, some farmland would be affected. There may be some 3,500 workers of many different nationalities at the project site during the peak construction period. In addition to employment, other benefits include business opportunities as well as local content, competence and capability development, according to Sharbini.

Baleh HEP will mark China Gezhouba Group’s first foray into construction in Malaysia.The company is an established hydropower specialist with over 40 years’ experience, having constructed at least eight rock-filled dams and a further 18 concrete-face rock-filled dams, the highest being 233m. When completed, Baleh dam will be the fourth hydropower plant in the state after Batang Ai, Murum and Bakun. In 2016, Gezhouba Group singn the new investment contracts value of RMB37.4 billion in One Belt One Road countries, proportion of 30% by the whole China overseas enterprises new contracts.

Malaysia has been identified as China’s "One Belt One Road" trade partner and is the most important country in the Southeast Asia Region in the production of ferroalloys.Then the 4th Asian-Pacific Ferroalloys & Steel International Conference, organized by ChinMetal Information Tech. Co., Ltd. (Ferro-Alloys.com), supported by OM Holdings Limited ("OMH"), and sponsored by OM Materials (Sarawak) Sdn. Bhd. ("OM SARAWAK"), will be held on 26-29 September, 2017 in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia. We formally welcome ferroalloy insiders and steel customers to attend the conference.

Malaysia ferroalloys Plant aerial view

• [Editor:tianyawei]