Ulu Padas Hydroelectric project proceeding smoothly

Borneo Post

19-07-2025

Nizam
KOTA KINABALU (July 19: The 187.5-megawatt (MW) Ulu Padas Hydroelectric project (UPHEP) in Tenom is proceeding smoothly and barring any unforseen circumstances, it will be completed as scheduled.
The detailed design for the UPHEP is nearing completion and several issues, especially relating to concerns initially raised by some 40 families living near the area had already been resolved.
Assistant Minister to the Chief Minister Datuk Nizam Abu Bakar Titingan says he has been informed by a reliable source that officials from the company handling the project had on a number of occasions met with these families to allay their fears about the construction of the dam.
These villagers who live nearby are satisfied and there had been no further objections.
'I have been assured there is no cause for worry . . . and everything is progressing smoothly,'says Nizam.
Work on the 125-metre high roller compact concrete dam with a reservoir capacity of 25 million litres of water, is expected to begin later this year.
The dam is located 9.3km away from the powerhouse where three 60MW Francis Type turbines will generate 187MW of electricity daily.
And early this year, entrepreneur Tan Sri TC Goh had praised the state government for coming up with long-term solutions to the existing water and electricity issues.
Goh who is a member of the Sabah Economic Advisory Council (SEAC), especially cited the UPHEP in Tenom as the answer to the long- standing problem the current GRS-PH Plus government inherited after coming to power in 2020.
In fact, a number of initiatives, he says, had already been implemented earlier to address supply disruptions before the UPHEP commences production.
The UPHEP is scheduled for completion in December 2030.
Goh who also heads the Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) and the Federal of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS), says he is confident the UPHEP will proceed smoothly given the reputation and experience of the companies handling it.
Meanwhile, Parti Gagasan Rakyat Sabah (Gagasan Rakyat) Tandek chief Datuk Dr Janathan Kandok was quoted as saying the UPHEP spoke volumes of the genuine commitment to ensure long-term water and electricity availability.
'This project is not something the state government promises in view of the upcoming state election. And it is not something you heard from the grapevine.
'It was already launched two years ago, reflecting the farsightedness of the government in tackling issues faced by the people,' Dr Janathan said.
Gamuda Berhad is the total development contractor (TDC) for this power project in partnership with Conlay Construction Sdn Bhd (Conlay).
The UPHEP when completed, is expected to generate an average of 1,052GWh of clean energy yearly – hence, increasing Sabah's current dependable capacity by some 15 per cent.
It will also double the renewable energy (RE) mix, supporting Sabah's goal of achieving approximately 35% RE share in its generation mix by 2035.
The scope of work will include design, construction, testing and commissioning of the hydroelectric plant involving a roller-compacted concrete dam, a main and secondary powerhouse, water conveyance system, project access, and other permanent facilities such as a 275kV switchyard, 33kV sub-transmission line, workshop, among others.
At the launch of the project in 2023, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor had expressed confidence that it would also resolve Sabah's water supply issue in the longer term.
The dam is able to release up to 6,000 million litres of water daily. Kota Kinabalu residents only need to use about 500 to 600 million litres of water per day.