Baram Dam
{{Short description|Dam in Sarawak, Malaysia}}
{{Infobox dam
| name = Baram Dam
| name_official = Empangan Baram
| image =
| image_size =
| image_caption =
| image_alt =
| location_map = Malaysia
| location_map_size =
| location_map_caption = Site of the proposed Baram Dam on the island of Borneo.
| coordinates = {{coord|3|22|59|N|114|34|4|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| country = Malaysia
| location = Sarawak
| status = P
| purpose = Power
| construction_began =
| opening =
| cost = RM4 billion
| owner =
| dam_type = Gravity, roller-compacted concrete
| dam_height = {{convert|162|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| dam_height_thalweg =
| dam_height_foundation=
| dam_length = {{convert|685|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| dam_width_crest =
| dam_width_base =
| dam_volume =
| dam_elevation_crest = {{convert|180|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web|title=Baram and Murum Fact sheet|url=http://dayakbaru.com/weblog08/2009/09/28/baram-and-murum-fact-sheet/|publisher=DayakBaru|access-date=7 May 2012|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602233438/http://dayakbaru.com/weblog08/2009/09/28/baram-and-murum-fact-sheet/|archive-date=2 June 2012}}
| dam_crosses = Baram River
| spillway_count =
| spillway_type =
| spillway_capacity =
| res_name =
| res_capacity_total =
| res_capacity_active =
| res_capacity_inactive=
| res_catchment = {{convert|8966|km2|mi2|0|abbr=on}}
| res_surface = {{convert|389|km2|mi2+acre}}
| res_elevation = {{convert|178|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}
| res_max_depth =
| res_max_length =
| res_max_width =
| res_tidal_range =
| plant_operator =
| plant_commission =
| plant_decommission =
| plant_type =
| plant_turbines = 4 x Francis-type
| plant_capacity = 1,200 MW
| plant_annual_gen =
}}
The Baram Dam, also known as Baram 1 Dam and Baram Hydro-electric Dam Project ({{langx|ms|Empangan Baram}}) is a proposed gravity dam on the Baram River in Sarawak, Malaysia. The site of the dam is {{convert|250|km|miles}} inland from Miri, the second largest city in Sarawak. The dam is part of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy and, if completed, would support a 1,200 MW power station. In November 2015, the Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem announced that the Sarawak government had decided to shelf the Baram Dam because the people in Baram did not welcome the plan.{{cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2015/11/18/baram-dam-temporary-shelved/|title=Adenan: Sarawak's Baram Dan project temporarily shelved - Nation – The Star Online|publisher=thestar.com.my|date=2015-11-18|access-date=15 March 2016}}
Design
If built, the dam will be {{convert|162|m|ft}} tall and its reservoir will cover an area of {{convert|389|km2|mi2+acre}}. The length of the dam at its crest will be {{convert|685|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. A {{convert|70|m|ft}} tall saddle dam about {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} southwest of the main dam will help retain the reservoir.{{cite news|last1=Tawie|first1=Joseph|title=Baram Dam put on hold for now|url=http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2011/09/09/baram-dam-put-on-hold-for-now/|access-date=4 January 2015|agency=Free Malaysia Today|date=9 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030507/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2011/09/09/baram-dam-put-on-hold-for-now/|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=dead}}
Background
Baram 1 is one of 12 dams to be constructed in Sarawak and is being developed by Sarawak Energy. It is the next to be constructed after Murum Dam's reservoir impounded in 2013. Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation is carrying out the design of the dam and 1,200 MW power station.{{cite web|title=Baram 1 Hydroelectric Project |url=http://www.smec.com/Default.aspx?aProjId=1548 |publisher=Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation |access-date=4 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105014454/http://www.smec.com/Default.aspx?aProjId=1548 |archive-date=5 January 2015 }} In 2010, Germany-based Fichtner GmbH & Co. KG completed a feasibility study on the dam and power station.{{cite web|title=Publications and papers |url=http://www.fichtner.de/en/publications/ |publisher=Fitchner |access-date=4 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150118001502/http://www.fichtner.de/en/publications/ |archive-date=18 January 2015 }}{{cite web|title=Examples of regenerative energy projects - Feasibility study for a 1200 MW hydropower project, Malaysia |url=http://www.fichtner.de/en/energy/renewable-energies/project-illustrations/ |publisher=Fichtner |access-date=4 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150105003347/http://www.fichtner.de/en/energy/renewable-energies/project-illustrations/ |archive-date=5 January 2015 }} In November 2012, the Social and Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA) for the project began. On 11 July 2014, the Sarawak state government unofficially approved the dam project although the SEIA report had not been completed.{{cite news|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Community/2014/07/11/Baram-dam-gets-goahead-Telang-Usan-rep-confirms-state-government-gives-green-light-at-recent-meeting/|title=Baram dam gets go-ahead |work=The Star (Malaysia)|date= 11 July 2014 |access-date=4 January 2015}} As of 17 December 2014, Sarawak Energy announced that it has yet to complete a comprehensive feasibility study and SEIA report due to ongoing protests against the Baram dam project.{{cite news|url=http://www.sarawakenergy.com.my/index.php/news-events-top/latest-news-events/latest-media-release/1193-sarawak-energy-clarification-on-seia-report-for-baram-hep|title=Sarawak Energy Clarification On SEIA Report For Baram HEP|publisher=Sarawak Energy|date=17 December 2014|access-date=4 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104095821/http://www.sarawakenergy.com.my/index.php/news-events-top/latest-news-events/latest-media-release/1193-sarawak-energy-clarification-on-seia-report-for-baram-hep|archive-date=4 January 2015|url-status=dead}}
Corruption has also been alleged, the Baram MP Jacob Dungau Sagan, formerly the Malaysian Deputy Minister of International Trade and Industry, was accused of supporting the project after obtaining RM63 million worth of contracts and timber concessions for the Baram district. He dismissed the accusation as a political ploy ahead of parliamentary elections.{{cite news|title=Baram MP denies allegations|last=Then|first=Stephen|date=1 March 2012|work=The Star|location=Sarawak}}
Impacts
=Displacement=
At least 20,000 people from 25 longhouses would be displaced if the dam is built, according to International Rivers.{{cite news|url=http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/4/19/sarawak/11131532 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120903165037/http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/4/19/sarawak/11131532 |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 September 2012 |title=Staring into an uncertain future |last=Then |first=Stephen |date=19 April 2012 |work=The Star |access-date=2 May 2012 }}{{cite web|title=Baram Dam|url=http://www.internationalrivers.org/campaigns/baram-dam|publisher=International Rivers|access-date=4 January 2015}} The feasibility study estimated that 6,000 to 8,000 people from 32 longhouses would be displaced. This number has also been verified by Miri Resident's office. The displaced communities mostly consisted of Kenyah, Kayan, and Penan communities.{{cite news|url=http://www.sarawakenergy.com.my/index.php/hydroelectric-projects/fact-sheets/baram|title=Baram|publisher=Sarawak Energy|date=2013|access-date=4 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104095857/http://www.sarawakenergy.com.my/index.php/hydroelectric-projects/fact-sheets/baram|archive-date=2015-01-04|url-status=dead}} In the upcoming SEIA, a household register would be developed for proposed resettlement of the displaced communities. According to Sarawak Energy, the dam project would accelerate the development of Baram township and to provide work opportunities and better infrastructure development for the local communities.
With the threat of displacement, protests by locals and international anti-dam groups against the dam have been common and have stalled preliminary construction such as access-road building. In September 2012, a document containing thousands of signatures was submitted to Sarawak's Chief Minister office.{{cite news|url=http://www.stop-corruption-dams.org/campaign_update/?show=34|title=Natives hand over petition against Baram dam to Sarawak's Chief Minister|publisher=Bruno Manser Fonds |date= 18 September 2012 |access-date=4 January 2015}} However, also in 2012, the Federation of Orang Ulu Association Malaysia, a group representing local ethnic groups dwelling near the site, pledged their support to the project.{{cite news|url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2012/05/18/community-support-for-baram-dam/|title=Community support for Baram dam|last=Bakari|first=Saiful|publisher=The Borneo Post|date= 18 March 2012 |access-date=1 May 2015}}
A group of 300 indigenous people staged a demonstration during IHA 2013 World Congress held by International Hydropower Association (IHA) at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching in May 2013. Written demands were submitted to executive director of IHA, Richard M Taylor.{{cite news|url=http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/05/23/group-protests-building-of-more-mega-dams/#ixzz2U2sJ57w8|title=Group protests building of more mega dams|last=Cheng|first=Lian|publisher=The Borneo Post|date= 23 May 2013 |access-date=4 January 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://www.stop-corruption-dams.org/campaign_update/?show=67|title=Protest in Kuala Lumpur against the Murum and Baram Dam|publisher=Bruno Manser Fonds |date= 26 September 2013 |access-date=4 January 2015}} On 23 October 2013, native protesters disrupted 30 Sarawak Energy Berhad (SEB) workers who were doing geological studies at the proposed construction area.{{cite news|url=http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/10/27/fresh-blockades-warnings-to-seb-workers/|title=Fresh blockades, warnings to SEB workers|publisher=Free Malaysia Today|date=27 October 2013|access-date=4 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103200534/http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2013/10/27/fresh-blockades-warnings-to-seb-workers/|archive-date=2015-01-03|url-status=dead}}
Road blockades have impacted construction, one blockade has been erected near Long Lama and another one was erected near the proposed dam construction site.{{cite news|url=http://www.stop-corruption-dams.org/campaign_update/?show=73|title=Borneo natives extend anti-dam blockades ahead of key UN meeting on Malaysia|publisher=Bruno Manser Fonds |date= 23 October 2013 |access-date=4 January 2015}} The blockade continued for nearly one year until 21 October 2014 when 50 police personnel dismantled the "KM15" blockade at Long Kesseh. Another blockade was re-erected few hours later.{{cite news|url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/baram-dam-protesters-thwart-move-to-dismantle |title=Baram dam protesters confront forestry officials, set up new blockade |last=Zachariah |first=Elizabeth |publisher=The Malaysian Insider |date=22 October 2014 |access-date=4 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103200316/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/baram-dam-protesters-thwart-move-to-dismantle |archive-date=3 January 2015 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.suaram.net/?p=6655|title=[JOINT STATEMENT] – Attempt to Expel Indigenous Peoples from the Proposed Baram Dam Site Denounced By Human Rights Groups|publisher= SUARAM|date= 23 October 2014 |access-date=4 January 2015}} On 23 October 2014, the protesters celebrated one-year anniversary of the continuing blockade.{{cite news|url=http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/sarawaks-baram-dam-protestors-survive-one-year-of-blockading |title=Sarawak's Baram Dam protestors survive one year of blockading |last=Then |first=Stephen |publisher=The Malaysian Insider |date=25 October 2014 |access-date=4 January 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108183226/http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/sarawaks-baram-dam-protestors-survive-one-year-of-blockading |archive-date=8 January 2015 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.sarawakreport.org/baram/issue|title=Baram Dam Blockade|publisher=Sarawak Report|access-date=4 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103205009/http://www.sarawakreport.org/baram/issue|archive-date=2015-01-03|url-status=dead}}
In November 2015, the late Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem said that the Sarawak government had decided that the Baram Dam project had been shelved, though this is described as "temporary".
See also
{{stack|{{Portal|Malaysia|Water|Renewable energy}}}}