TO THE FORE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY CHARGE
TNB to leverage on competitiveness in supporting country’s RE generation target
TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) aims to pursue an active role in supporting Malaysia’s renewable energy (RE) generation target by leveraging on its competitiveness and strength both locally and overseas.
Locally, the national utility company has formed joint ventures (JV) for a biomass power generation station in Jengka, Pahang with Felda; two biogas power stations in Layang-Layang, Johor, and Bagan Datuk, Perak, with Sime Darby; and two biogas power stations in Puchong and Jeram, Selangor, with Worldwide Holdings.
As part of its international RE drive, TNB has for the past two years acquired major RE assets, including solar, wind and hydro, in the United Kingdom, Turkey and India, with an accumulated generation capacity of almost 600 megawatts (MWs).
“The JVs and foreign asset acquisitions reflect the company’s commitment to grow its RE business to champion RE efforts in Malaysia and Asean,” said TNB in a statement.
It is developing Malaysia’s first Large Scale Solar (LSS) project in Kuala Langat, Selangor, which will generate and transmit 50MW of electricity to the national grid. The project is part of TNB’s nonregulated business.
“The project, to be built on a 98ha site, serves as a catalyst for TNB’s aspiration to develop RE projects in the country and the region,” it said.
When completed in November next year, TNB’s capacity of electricity generated from RE sources will increase to 73.2MW.
The LSS project is developed by TNB Sepang Solar Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of TNB.
TNB Sepang Solar signed a 21year solar power purchase agreement with TNB in March. It has secured financing and working capital for the project totalling RM348 million from Affin Islamic Bank on July 19.
TNB said the LSS project would provide employment opportunities for nearby residents during the construction stage and later, as well as educational exposure to the public, particularly students, on solar technology and the operations of solar power plants.