TNB to build two 1,000MW coal-fired power plants in Perak

It is good that TNB is taking proactive measures to mitigate the risk of inability to supply sufficient power to Peninsula Malaysia. The catchy keyword is coal, and because it is coal, it is sensitive.

Setting up of coal-fired power plant is controversial (we have such experience in Sabah) because the potential for environmental pollution is very high. The proposed 300 MW coal-fired power plant in Lahad Datu was scrapped due to the people's objection.

Extension to the existing power plant in Manjung will start soon. Photo: Lowyat

Contrary to this, n West Malaysia, though, coal-fired power plant is one of the bigger contributors to the energy generation mix. There are also coal-fired power plants in Sarawak.

So, the real question here in Sabah is, are we looking more towards solution of the perennial issue of blackout/power failure or are we more looking at the environment alone? Of course there is a balance to be struck, but you cannot have the best of both.

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Two new 1,000MW power plants in Manjung

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) will build two high-technology 1,000 MW coal-fired power plants in Manjung, Perak to meet the increasing demand for electricity.

Its vice president of generation Zainuddin Ibrahim said the two projects will start soon and will be completed within the next four years. The power consumption is expected to increase by 5% annually and the two projects are in the company's pipeline.

"The two projects in Manjung are mainly for domestic usage and are expected to be completed in 2017," he told reporters after launching the 3rd Annual Asian Sub-Bituminous Coal User Group Conference which was attended by over 140 industry professionals from 15 countries including Malaysia, the United States, United Kingdom, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia and Russia on October 1, 2013.

On average, Malaysia consumes about 15,000 to 16,000 MW of power daily, with the figure expected to increase annually. TNB's power generation ratio is as follows:-

• Natural gas                    : 50%
• Coal-fired power plants   : 35% to 40%
• Renewable energy         : 10% to 15%

TNB believes that coal is one of Malaysia's most important sources of energy, and over 80% of coal in Malaysia is imported from Indonesia, South Africa and Australia.

The utility's annual consumption of coal is about 42 million tonnes and the trend continues to increase, with Asia being the biggest market for coal for power plants, accounting for 67% of worldwide demand.


Source: Bernama

TNB set to get 1320 MW coal powered plant job in Bangladesh

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) may have shelved its plan to build a 300 MW coal-fired power plant in Lahad Datu, Sabah, but that does not stop the utility company to keep burning coal elsewhere.

TNB's proposal for installation and operations of a 1,320MW plant has been selected by Bangladesh Power Division. TNB beat other proposals from China and Thailand power generation companies.


TNB's other coal-fired power plant in Manjung, Malaysia. Picture: Instrumentations & Process Control


Bangladesh's New Age newspaper reported that the power plant, to be installed at either Anwara in Chittagong or Maheshkhali at Cox's Bazar, would be through a joint-venture company owned by the Power Development Board and TNB.


Quick facts and estimates

Plant capacity    : 1,320 MW
Fuel                    : imported coal
Owner                : Bangladesh Power Division
Cost                   : RM6.6 billion (US$2.15 bil) - The EDGE Malaysia's estimate
Project scheme  : Build-Own-Operate
Proposed J-V     : 50-50 share between TNB and the power board


Nothing official yet but it is expected that a delegation from the Power Division will visit Malaysia this month to finalise the memorandum of understanding on the installation and operations of the plant.


Bangladesh has more coal-fired power plants

Including this proposal, Bangladesh has so far initiated 3 big coal-fired power projects, each having 1,320MW power generation capacity, in joint venture with equal shares with three state-run agencies.

Being the biggest power utility company in Malaysia, TNB certainly has the experience and capability to install and operate similar plants. At present, TNB's combined generation capacity (in Malaysia and Pakistan) is 12,000 MW.

Bangladesh has set a long-range target to generate about 20,000MW power from coal-fired plants - 11,250 MW using domestic coal and 8,750 MW fromimported coal - by 2030.


TheGreenMechanics' two cents:

Coal advocateurs claim that there is newer technology that make coal 'clean' and thus it should be developed further to become the main fuel. Coal can never be clean from whichever perspective you look at it and a 'dirty' fuel shall remain dirty. Question is how well can you manage the waste and byproducts of burning coal. There is bound to be leaks somewhere. The ill effect of the pollution is not immediate (unlike other chemicals), and thus people's mentality towards coal is different from, say radio-actives and chlorine for instance.

Note that India and Bangladesh are still unsettled on the implementation of the latter's proposal for another 1,320MW coal-fired power plant initiated earlier than the one with TNB.

Meanwhile TNB's extension of its Manjung coal power plant in Malaysia by additional 1,000 MW is understood to be going ahead as planned.

Verdict: Shelf the coal-fired power plant, Save the monkey?

Artist's impression of the coal-fired power plant in Lahad Datu.
Credit to: SESB Corporate News.

Please dump the heading. Don't take me literally. The title implied nothing about insulting anyone, any individual, any NGO nor does it implies my support for a coal-fired plant. It's just to express what is currently being adopted.

The plan to build it has been "halted" (read: it may be re-proposed by SESB) due to Department of Environment's rejection of the impact assessment (DEIA). What a cool call by DOE. Decision should be made based on fact and with professionalism.


Let's recall some of what our leaders said then and now, about the proposed plant:

Our Chief Minister said that Coal-fired plant in Lahad Datu is the best solution to address the power supply problems in the East Coast.

The Star quoted Datuk Masidi of saying Coal power plant in Sabah is history. He was assuming that's the end of the story. How I wish I can make the same assumption...!

Earlier this year our lost 'love spark' with coal-fired plant was re-ignited with the Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water - Datuk Peter Chin - saying that the Federal Govt will be talking again with the State Govt to re-discuss the proposed plant. Okay, so much for a Green Technology there.

After reading that the proposed project was suspended, I tought I would not want to write anymore about this. It seem I was wrong. We really need to know facts and figures about other alternatives now that it apparently is not the end of story on the 'dirty energy' just yet.

For a start, to generate 1MW of energy through Solar, it'll require a land of about 6 acres to generate; not talking about cost yet. Note that 1MW (1000kW) is barely sufficient to power up a medium-sized timber complex or palm-oil mill. Just to keep you pondering.

Currently Malaysia has 6 coal-fired power plant, including 2 in Sarawak. If you have Sarawakian friends, ask them about their experience.

For you, Big Players of Green/Renewable Energy, take this:

"We have committed to purchase 100MW from Biomass. If ANYONE can provide 100MW tomorrow, we will purchase it tomorrow!" - Ir Abd Razak Sallim, Senior General Manager, SESB. He mentioned this during a seminar/briefing. I can quote a date and place if anyone's interested.

There you are, it's a challenge + opportunity.