Sabah’s clarification leaves more questions

Why is 76 hectares more of forested land being cleared when the Geothermal Power Plant needs less?

TAWAU: More doubts have arisen over the clearing of 150 hectares of forested land at Tawau Hills Park for a 36MW Geothermal Power Plant.

Sri Tanjung assemblyman Chan Foong Hin said according to the figures provided, a total 150 hectares of the Tawau Hills Park under Sabah Parks is estimated to be cleared for the Tawau Geothermal Power Plant project with 30 hectares being developed for seven thermo wells and 44 hectares for road access and pipe construction.

“Therefore, what is the specific purpose of the remaining land (76 hectares) to be cleared for?”Chan asked after the Sabah Forestry Department’s director of forestry, Sam Mannan, clarified on the ongoing work at the site.

Chan said the first geothermal power plant in this country is considered as a “green project” with its expected mitigation of about 200,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually.

“Has the carbon emissions mitigation expected here been taken into account all the carbon footprint caused by the 150 hectares first class forest reserves land clearing?” he asked.

“Furthermore, no official statement before has mentioned that such a huge land, 150 hectares of first class forest reserves would be cleared for the project,” he said.

The project design document (PDD) of the Tawau Geothermal Power Plant which is available online in the United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change (UNFCCC) website had the project director, Andrew Amaladoss saying: “Area leased to this project is only 2 to 3 acres for the power house itself.

“A further 30 acres is being leased to cover the geothermal wells and associated piping.

“The actual well footprints do not total 30 acres, however since these wells are scattered over a wide area, the lease will be for 30 acres.”

Misleading public?

Amaladoss was replying to one Sylvester from Gerakan Pengguna Tawau, during the stakeholders meeting.

“Isn’t it misleading the public that 30 acres were leased to the project, but as of now 150 hectares are to be cleared?” Chan asked.

“There is such a big difference of land required for the project in 2011 (the year which the stakeholder meeting was held) and now,” Chan said, adding that Sabah DAP is also shocked that the statement notes that an “EIA is not required and DOE will be issuing an exemption letter”.

“In fact, any first class forest reserves should be de-gazetted in the state assembly and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) should be conducted before any development is executed.

“The public has a right to know why the project has been given such kind of privilege to clear 150 hectares of first class forest reserves without (an) EIA,” he said.

The geothermal project consists of two phases – Phase 1 with 36MW capacity was initially scheduled to be commissioned in July 2014 but postponed to 2016.

Chan says the delay is not explained and shows the competency level of Tawau Green Energy in pursuing this project.

The freshman assemblyman also queried the opacity over the ownership of the company,Tawau Green Energy Sdn Bhd, pursuing the project.

“Until now, there is no clarification on who is the main shareholder behind the scene which is believed related to the top political leader in the state. Tawau Green Energy should learn from Forestry Director to disclose the fact to the public,” he said.