Chinese firm eyes dam projects in W. Sumatra

The Chinese Machine Building International Corporation (CMBIC) has expressed interest in building dams for hydropower plants on the Batang Kandis and Batang Air Dingin rivers in Padang, West Sumatra Province, Antara reported.

?The CMBIC team has visited the two rivers and they said the dams can be built there,? Fauzi Bahar, the Padang mayor, told reporters on the sidelines of the team's visit recently.

Fauzi said the city needs an additional supply of electricity, ranging between 50-70 megawatts, and its demand will increase in line with the city's rapid economic growth.

He said the presence of dams there could solve the threat of floods in Lubuk Buaya and its surrounding areas.

The dams could also be used to supply fresh water, recreation activities, water sports and could help protect endangered fish species.

Meanwhile, Ji Hong Jun, the CMBIC vice president, said his side has an interest in building dams in the city.

"We will study further the earlier survey conducted by the city's team but technically dams can be built there," he added. (*)