The Murum Dam (Malay: Empangan Murum) is a gravity dam on the Murum River in Sarawak, Malaysia. Construction began in 2008,[4] the dam's reservoir began to fill in July 2013 and the first generator was commissioned in December 2014.[5][6] The fourth and final turbine became operational on 8 June 2015.[7] Concerns have been raised about the displacement of the Dayak people and the removal of rainforest due to the construction of the dam.

Murum Dam
Murum Dam is located in Malaysia
Murum Dam
Location of Murum Dam in Malaysia
Official nameEmpangan Murum
CountryMalaysia
LocationBelaga, Sarawak, Borneo
Coordinates2°38′48″N 114°21′57″E / 2.64667°N 114.36583°E / 2.64667; 114.36583
StatusOperational
Construction began2008
Opening date2014
Construction costMYR 4.1 billion[1]
Owner(s)Sarawak Energy Berhad
Dam and spillways
Type of damGravity, roller-compacted concrete
ImpoundsMurum River
Height141 m (463 ft)
Length473 m (1,552 ft)
Reservoir
Total capacity12,043,000,000 m3 (9,763,419 acre⋅ft)
Active capacity5,475,000,000 m3 (4,438,655 acre⋅ft)
Inactive capacity6,568,000,000 m3 (5,324,764 acre⋅ft)
Catchment area2,750 km2 (1,062 sq mi)
Surface area245 km2 (95 sq mi)
Normal elevation540 m (1,772 ft)[2]
Muram Hydroelectric Power Station
Coordinates2°40′14.94″N 114°17′41.14″E / 2.6708167°N 114.2947611°E / 2.6708167; 114.2947611
Commission date2014-2015
Turbines4 x 236 MW Francis-type[3]
Installed capacity944 MW

The dam site is located on the Murum River, which is in the uppermost part of the Rajang River basin, 200 km (124 mi) from Bintulu. The upstream of Rajang river includes four steps, which are Pelagus, Bakun, Murum, and Belaga. The Murum Hydroelectric Project is the second Step-Hydroelectric Project of the four steps, and is 70 km (43 mi) from the constructing Bakun Hydroelectric Project downstream.

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Sarawak not ready to 'export' hydropower to peninsula". Malaysia Kini. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  2. ^ "Hydroelectric Power Dams in Sarawak". Sarawak Integrated Water Resources Master Management Plan. Archived from the original on 3 July 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  3. ^ "Murum Hydroelectric Project, Malaysia". Sinohydro Bureau 8 CO., LTD International Department. Archived from the original on 19 July 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
  4. ^ Sovacool, Benjamin K.; L.C. Bulan (March 2011). "Settling the SCORE: The Implications of The Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) In Malaysia" (PDF). Energy Governance Case Study #04. Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Retrieved 7 May 2012.[dead link]
  5. ^ "SEB: It will take up to 12 months to fill up RM3.5bil Murum dam". The Star. 25 July 2013. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
  6. ^ Davidson, Desmond (6 December 2014). "Sarawak's Murum dam operational next year". Malaysian Insider. Archived from the original on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  7. ^ Kong, Sharon (11 July 2015). "No energy surplus in Sarawak, says SEB". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 13 September 2015.