Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd environment manager Ten Wuan Ping said the impoundment of water at the dam — which began on Oct 13, 2010 — is ahead of schedule.

“We are going to test the first two of the eight turbines installed and by July, it will generate income through the sale of electricity,” he said during a recent joint briefing on Bakun with the Kapit Resident’s Office.

Heads of government departments and agencies, community leaders as well as representatives from non-governmental organisations attended the briefing.

Ten explained the safety features of the 205-metre high concrete face rockfill dam, which is the second highest in the world after the Shuibuya Dam in China at 233 metres.

“We have installed 33 safety devices connected to the main control room, which is closely monitored 24 hours,” he said.

Besides clean electricity generation for high power consumption industries like aluminium smelting, Ten said the Bakun Dam would also help to prevent flooding in areas such as Sibu.

Once at full capacity, the eight turbines have a capacity to generate 2,400 MW of electricity.

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