In conjunction with the upcoming National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations, the Sungai Sempam Mini Hydro Station (SMH Sempam) in Raub, Pahang — Malaysia’s oldest hydroelectric power plant, with a capacity of 1.236 megawatts (MW) — remains a symbol of the nation’s energy heritage. Built by British engineer William Bibby around 1897 and operational since 1900, this station is now over 120 years old. It continues to contribute to the clean energy agenda through a comprehensive restoration effort in 2024. It is now part of Phase 3 of the Mini Hydro Station Maintenance and Upgrade Project, which covers six stations across four states, and is expected to be completed by 2028.

Behind the light that has powered the nation since before independence stands the dedication of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) personnel, such as Assistant Technician (Mini Hydro) Lokman Intol Abdul Manaf (left), and Zulhairi Hamzah. They are seen inspecting the pipeline from the dam to the Sungai Sempam Mini Hydro Station to ensure optimal water flow for power generation.

Senior Technician (Mini Hydro) Shah Amir Rizal Mohamed Ibrahim (left) and Assistant Technician (Mini Hydro) Lokman Intol Abdul Manaf inspect the control system at the Sungai Sempam Mini Hydro Station to ensure the plant’s operations remain efficient and stable.