Pumped Storage Hydro

Sarawak Energy to study pumped storage feasibility

Sarawak Energy to study pumped storage feasibility
Dean Lynch of Snowy Hydro (left) explains a model of the Talbingo Lake to YB Dato Sri Haji Julaihi (fourth from left) and the Sarawak delegation during their technical tour of the Tumut 3 Power Station and pumped hydro facility (Credit: Sarawak Energy)

As the state of Sarawak in Malaysia works to expand its renewable energy capacity, the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication (MUT), with Sarawak Energy, is spearheading studies and engagements related to the government’s focus on cascading power sources (CPS).

CPS are two or more hydropower plants located along the same river or in the same river system, which typically are hydraulically coupled because flows from one plant affect the reservoir of the downstream plant.

As a component in achieving Sarawak’s target of reaching an electricity generating capacity of 10 GW by 2030, pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) is under serious consideration, Sarawak Energy said.

A delegation from the MUT and Sarawak Energy, led by The Honourable Dato Sri Haji Julaihi Narawi, Minister of Utility and Telecommunication, visited Snowy Hydro’s 1,800 MW Tumut 3 facility in New South Wales on Aug. 27 on a working visit to understand the feasibility of PHES in Sarawak. The Tumut 3 Power Station is a key part of the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme, one of Australia’s major hydroelectric and PHES facilities.

The Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme comprises eight hydro power stations, including two that are underground. The eight power stations, equipped with 33 turbines, have a total generating capacity of 4,100 MW, producing an average of 4,500 GWh of renewable electricity annually.

Tumut 3 is the first major pumped-hydro plant in Australia and the largest to date. It cycles water between the Talbingo Reservoir and Jounama Pondage for generation and pumping. The Sarawak delegation received briefings on the operational aspects of Tumut 3 and toured Talbingo Dam, the upper reservoir of the power station.

The study visit was facilitated by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through its Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) initiative and aims to provide insights into Australia’s energy transition efforts and development technologies, particularly PHES. The study mission began with an engagement session between the Sarawak delegation and representatives from DFAT, P41 and the Australian National University in Canberra. These discussions focused on the technical, market and regulatory frameworks essential for PHES projects, which Sarawak is considering as part of its energy strategy.

CPS and PHES studies and engagements include working visits to regions where projects have been successfully implemented, such as in Austria and Australia. The MUT and Sarawak Energy are also committed to engaging with local communities as part of their feasibility studies on CPS and PHES, ensuring that communities are included in Sarawak’s renewable energy development.