New RM2.3b Tembat, Puah dams to add 265MW of power to Kenyir stations

HULU TERENGGANU: The newly-constructed RM2.3 billion Tembat and Puah Dams, once fully operational in October, will add an additional 265 megawatt (MW) of electricity to the generation capacity of the Kenyir Hydroelectric Power Stations, says operator Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB).
The two new cascading hydroelectric dams are the third of its kind in the country after those in Cameron Highlands and the Perak River.
Kenyir Hydroelectric Power Stations general manager of generation division Mustafa Hashim said the dams would increase the capacity of the stations to 665MW.
"This will make it the second largest hydroelectric stations in the country after the Sungai Perak Hydroelectric Power Station," he told reporters during a visit to the project here.
Located at 429m above the sea level, Tembat was built using German and Swiss technology with the concept of a diversion dam.
"Puah, at 296m above the sea level was built using French technology of a gate spillway.
"TNB also spent RM10 million for studies relating to the construction, including landform and type of soil, water flow, impact to flora and fauna, and conservation to minimise the impact to the nature," he added.
He said apart from power generation, the lake formed by the dams also acted as a flood mitigating system by collecting additional water during the season of heavy rain.
The Tembat and Puah lakes cover in total an area of 7,180ha or one sixth of the size of the Kenyir Lake.
Meanwhile, on the importance of hydroelectricity, Mustafa said this source is important for the diversification of power in the country.
He said it enables hydroelectricity to complement that of thermal power generation and support the national grid during peak hours and if an interruption occurred.
The national grid's capacity is about 22,000MW. — Bernama