NEWS & UPDATE

KUCHING
8 OCTOBER 2025

The Bakun Hydroelectric Plant (HEP), located on the Batang Balui, the upper course of the Rajang River in Kapit Division, Sarawak. It features one of the world’s largest Concrete Face Rockfill Dams (CFRD) and is Malaysia’s largest renewable energy facility with a generation capacity of 2,520MW. The Bakun Reservoir remains the largest and most voluminous reservoir or lake in the country.

Fully commissioned in 2014, Bakun HEP plays a central role in supporting hydro-industrialisation development, especially under the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE) initiative, while enhancing energy security and reliability for Sarawak.

Together with Murum HEP (944MW) and Batang Ai HEP (94MW), Bakun forms the backbone of Sarawak’s hydropower portfolio. All hydropower facilities operated by Sarawak Energy are guided by the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) and the Hydropower Sustainability Standard (HSS). Bakun itself is operated with robust internal and external monitoring systems to ensure its facilities and operations consistently remain within safe parameters.

In 2025, Sarawak Energy’s commitment to advancing sustainable hydropower was recognised when Bakun HEP received Silver Certification under HSS, following an independent assessment by the Hydropower Sustainability Alliance. The certification, announced during the Sustainability & Renewable Energy Forum (SAREF) 4.0 in Kuching and witnessed by the Premier of Sarawak, highlighted the plant’s strengths in areas such as community engagement, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience and governance. The assessment also reaffirmed Sarawak Energy’s long-standing position that the only acceptable hydropower is sustainable hydropower, reflecting the utility’s adherence to international benchmarks since becoming a member of the International Hydropower Association (IHA) in 2010. To review the report and submit comments, please visit the Bakun HEP Assessment page here.

In further recognition of its sustainability leadership, Bakun HEP was awarded the International Hydropower Association (IHA) Blue Planet Prize 2025. Presented in Paris on 9 September during the International Forum on Pumped Storage Hydropower, the award honours projects that demonstrate outstanding sustainability performance, based on independent assessment using the HSS. The Blue Planet Prize requires evidence of good practice through corporate policies, on-the-ground implementation, documentation and public consultation, reaffirming Bakun HEP’s role as a benchmark for hydropower projects globally in supporting the energy transition.

Sarawak Energy continues to invest in social initiatives for communities in the Bakun Resettlement Scheme (BRS) through four focus areas: education and young people; environmental management and conservation; culture and heritage preservation; and community development and entrepreneurship.

Education and Young People: Through the Bakun Charitable Trust, four education funds receive an annual revolving allocation of RM200,000, benefitting Kayan, Kenyah, Kajang and Penan communities in the BRS. Since 2019, 951 students from Belaga have benefited from financial assistance and improved facilities. The Sarawak Energy Bursary Programme, with an annual allocation of about RM300,000, has supported 116 secondary school students from SMK Belaga and SMK Bakun between 2019 and 2025. Meanwhile, the Sarawak Energy Scholarship Programme, with its annual budget doubled to RM16 million in 2022, allocates 30% of awards to students from host communities and low-income families.

Community Development and Entrepreneurship: To uplift the living standards of resettled families, Sarawak Energy introduced a five-year longhouse adoption programme in 2019 covering all 15 longhouses with 15,600 residents in the BRS, supporting community facilities, cultural activities and entrepreneurship. Fire safety training and equipment are also provided through a partnership with BOMBA Bintulu Zone and Persatuan Bomba Sukarela Sungai Asap.

Culture and Heritage Preservation: Sarawak Energy supports community efforts to preserve cutural identity, including achievements recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records and Elite World Records. These include Malaysia’s tallest Belawing Tower, the longest Rattan Teteng Wei and two world records set during the Pesta Apau Koyan cultural festival in 2024. As the primary sponsor since 2013, Sarawak Energy remains dedicated to safeguarding cultural heritage while advancing initiatives that bring lasting benefits to the BRS communities.

To ensure inclusive development, Sarawak Energy established the Bakun Community Management Steering Committee (BCMSC), chaired by the Belaga District Officer and co-chaired by the Bakun Station Manager. The committee provides a platform for government, community and civil society organisations to guide and oversee local initiatives. In addition, a formal grievance mechanism allows concerns related to livelihoods, wellbeing, environment and cultural heritage to be raised and addressed transparently.

Through these initiatives, Bakun HEP continues to support Sarawak’s renewable energy goals while strengthening long-term partnerships with surrounding communities.

Aerial view of Bakun HEP.

Sarawak Energy’s Annual Scholarship Award Programme recognises outstanding Sarawakian students, reaffirming the company’s commitment to nurturing local talent and supporting Sarawak’s future development.

The Pesta Apau Koyan 2024 celebrated a world record with the Largest Sape Sculpture, measuring 12.19 metres and weighing three tonnes.