Robinson Falls Power Station

Robinson Falls Power Station (2 May, 2016)


Robinson Falls Power Station (GPS: 4.45787, 101.38963) is a power station on Sungai Bertam in Cameron Highlands. The station is located off Jalan Boh in the village of Habu, in the township of Ringlet. It is located at the end of a hill road which passes through various vegetable farms.

The Robinson Falls Power Station is the first power station to be built for the Cameron Highlands-Batang Padang HEP Schemes¹, which were deviced to harnass hydroelectric from the highland rivers. Although the schemes were planned as early as the 1940s, implementation only took place in the 1950s and 1960s due to World War II and the Japanese Occupation of the country.

The Robinson Falls Power Station was the first power station of the scheme to be completed. Construction began in 1957², and the power station became operational in November, 1959. The construction of this power station was to demonstrate the use of hydroelectricity to the country.

From the 1980s through the 1990s, water catchment areas throughout Cameron Highlands experienced land clearing for vegetable farming as well as other development. The indiscriminate clearing of the forest negatively impacted the quality of water in the rivers, resulting in the high presence of clay as well as fine and medium-size sand in the water. This leads to increased sedimentation and silt depositation at the various power stations, including at the Robinson Falls Power Station.

During my visit to this power station, I do notice that the water of Sungai Bertam is still the colour of milky tea. Obviously the level of clay in the water was still very high, even in 2016.

Robinson Falls Power Station (2 May, 2016)


Robinson Falls Power Station (2 May, 2016)


Robinson Falls Power Station (2 May, 2016)


Robinson Falls Power Station (2 May, 2016)


Robinson Falls Power Station (2 May, 2016)


Robinson Falls Power Station (2 May, 2016)

Robinson Falls Power Station is on the map of Ringlet, Cameron Highlands

References

1. Case Study - The Siltation Issue in the Cameron Highlands-Batang Padang Hydroelectric Power Scheme, by Foon Shyong Wai and Ramli bin Abdullah.

2. UM Student Report: Annual Energy Output of Robinson Falls, Habu and Jor power stations.

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