At 40MW capacity, it is hardly significant compared with the 2,400MW of electrical energy flowing from neighbouring Sarawak’s Bakun hydroelectric plant.
But, unlike the destructive nature of an embankment dam such as Bakun, which has left approximately 700 sq km of land — equivalent to the size of Singapore — permanently under water, the Telekosang is a run-of-river hydro power project that leaves a minimal impact on the environment.
Jentayu Sustainables Sdn Bhd, formerly known as Ipmuda Bhd, has acquired the Telekosang project as part of a plan to drive its clean energy agenda.
Two more run-of-river hydro power projects are already in the pipeline.
The first, along Sungai Maligan and the second along Sungai Padas will have capacities of 31MW and 129MW respectively. Collectively they will meet 16% of total energy needs in Sabah.
Sustainability strategy
Jentayu chief strategy and sustainability officer Satya Riayatsyah Syafruddin said the company had opted for run-of-river projects to mitigate the potential impact on waterways and the surrounding areas.
In areas where trees have to be uprooted to make room for the project, Jentayu is working with the Sabah forestry department to launch a tree-replanting exercise, Satya told FMT Business. About 86ha of land has already been set aside for the purpose.
The species of trees chosen for replanting are native to the surrounding forest, and they include several fruit-bearing plants to support the local fauna.
Environmentalists are generally less critical of run-of-river projects.
One of them, Centre for Environment, Technology and Development Malaysia (Cetdem) chairman Gurmit Singh, agreed that such a project has a less severe negative impact.
For instance, he said, in areas inundated as a result of the construction of a dam, the submerged vegetation eventually decays and produces methane, the gas that contributes to climate change.
“Since (run-of-river hydro power plants) are not built across the river, they do not flood a large area, leading to people and animals being displaced,” he told FMT Business.
However, he pointed out that a run-of-river power plant only works as long as “a lot” of water continues to flow. “If there is a drought, the operations will be affected,” he said.
“It’s generally environmentally friendly, but there’s a risk of not being able to generate much electricity if the water flow is affected,” he said.
Accountability is key
Satya said Jentayu will be keeping tabs on carbon emissions generated by the construction of the two projects when work begins.
Apart from that, he said, the company will also engage the local community through mini corporate social responsibility projects.
“Among others, we will provide residents of the villages in the area with solar-powered lamps,” he said.
Satya said Jentayu agreed that to realise its sustainability ambitions, it has to ensure transparency and be accountable for its actions.
“Businesses should be completely responsible for their actions,” he added.
However, Gurmit pointed out that the design of the plant is just one factor in the sustainability strategy.
He noted that other factors, such as the actual construction process and practices of the company, also contributed significantly to the environmental impact.
He stressed that to ensure credibility, an independent party must be appointed to assess a company on its sustainability efforts.
Gurmit believes corporate accountability remains low, not only in Malaysia but elsewhere too.
“For instance, renewable energy companies in the US have tried by producing statistics to show that they have created jobs but there is a tendency to exaggerate,” he added.
Nonetheless the move to sustainability is inevitable, and for companies such as Jentayu, being ahead of the pack counts for a lot.