Construction work has started on the 380MW Ulu Jelai hydroelectric project in Pahang, Malaysia, with the official groundbreaking ceremony held on 1 March.

The contract to build the EUR 500M project was awarded to Salini Costruttori at the end of 2010. The main component of the project is the 80m high Susu RCC dam which will be built on the Bertam River. It also includes an underground powerhouse for two 190MW turbines and almost 26km of tunnels to be excavated mainly by TBM.

The project is scheduled for completion in five years.

The recent groundbreaking ceremony was attended by His Majesty the Sultan of Pahang, HRH the Crown Prince as well as many other authorities and top management of Malaysian utility Tenaga Nasional Berhad. Other guests included the Italian Ambassador to Malaysia and Salini Malaysia staff.