Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) clarified that the floods that hit the Beaufort and Tenom districts on Friday were not due to the release of water from its Tenom Pangi Hydroelectric Power Plant.
SESB Senior General Manager (Asset Management) Ir. Norhizami Abu Hasan said the station was designed with the concept of using the river flow (run-of-river scheme) to generate electricity and not through the dam system.
“This station operates by diverting the flow of river water through a tunnel to the hydro turbine at the power station for the purpose of operating the station.
“The amount of water diverted is equal to the amount of water released back into the river,” he said in a statement, Friday.
He also explained that the Diverson Water Gate (DGW), which resembles a dam built at the station, is a fence structure designed to divert river waterways for electricity generation.
However, when the river water level rises and the river flows excessively, SESB will open the DWG and release the excess water naturally into the river.
He said the DWG would only be opened in stages for the inflow of water into the river, adding that SESB is always in touch with the local authorities to notify the opening of the DWG gate.
SESB hoped the explanation could clarify the real situation.
Norhizami assured that the safety of all parties is SESB’s priority in the operation of the Tenom Pangi Hydroelectric Power Plant which has been operating since the 1980s and successfully utilised sustainable energy sources to supply electricity to the Sabah Grid.
He advised Beaufort and Tenom residents to contact SESB via SESB Careline 15454 or 088-515000 or via the Whatsap application 019-852 5427 for any queries on supply closures during the flood season.
