Murum Dam

Murum Dam
Location of Murum Dam in Malaysia
Country	Malaysia
Location	Belaga, Sarawak, Borneo
Coordinates	2°38′48″N 114°21′57″E / 2.64667°N 114.36583°ECoordinates: 2°38′48″N 114°21′57″E / 2.64667°N 114.36583°E
Status	Operational
Construction began	2008
Opening date	2014
Construction cost	MYR 4.1 billion[1]
Owner(s)	Sarawak Energy Berhad
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Gravity, roller-compacted concrete
Impounds	Murum River
Height	141 m (463 ft)
Length	473 m (1,552 ft)
Reservoir
Total capacity	12,043,000,000 m^3 (9,763,419 acre·ft)
Active capacity	5,475,000,000 m^3 (4,438,655 acre·ft)
Inactive capacity	6,568,000,000 m^3 (5,324,764 acre·ft)
Catchment area	2,750 km^2 (1,062 sq mi)
Surface area	245 km^2 (95 sq mi)
Normal elevation	540 m (1,772 ft)[2]
Power station
Name	Muram Hydroelectric Power Station
Coordinates	2°40′14.94″N 114°17′41.14″E / 2.6708167°N 114.2947611°E
Commission date	2014-2015
Turbines	4 x 236 MW Francis-type[3]
Installed capacity	944 MW

The Murum Dam 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 began operations 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.

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

• Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy
• Environmental concerns with electricity generation

References

1. "Sarawak not ready to 'export' hydropower to peninsula". Malaysia Kini. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
2. "Hydroelectric Power Dams in Sarawak". Sarawak Integrated Water Resources Master Management Plan. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
3. "Murum Hydroelectric Project, Malaysia". Sinohydro Bureau 8 CO., LTD International Department. 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.
5. "SEB: It will take up to 12 months to fill up RM3.5bil Murum dam". The Star. 25 July 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2014.
6. Davidson, Desmond (6 December 2014). "Sarawak's Murum dam operational next year". Malaysian Insider. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
7. Kong, Sharon (11 July 2015). "No energy surplus in Sarawak, says SEB". The Borneo Post. Retrieved 13 September 2015.