Sarawak Energy’s Balingian coal-fired power plant records safety milestone
KUCHING: Sarawak Energy’s 624MW Balingian coal-fired power plant, due for full commissioning in the third quarter of 2019, has recorded 13 million safe manhours over the project duration.
An event was held at the project site yesterday to celebrate the safety achievement with hundreds of staff, contractors and members of the local community participating.
“Congratulations to all Sarawak Energy staff and contractors of the Balingian Project Team. This demonstrates that we can achieve our goal of no harm to people with the right commitment,” said Sarawak Energy Group chief executive officer Datu Sharbini Suhaili during the event.
Sharbini also thanked the Ministry of Utilities, Department of Occupational Safety and Health ( DOSH), Department of Environment ( DOE), Natural Resources and Environment Board ( NREB) Sarawak, Construction Industry Development Board ( CIDB) and Fire and Rescue Department as well as the local community for their support since the project commenced in May 2014.
“Upon completion, Balingian coal fi red power plant will put an additional 624MW of generation capacity to the state grid. The facility will utilise indigenous Sarawak coal, found in the vicinity of the plant location to help us meet demand from both our retail and bulk power of Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy ( Score) customers.”
Balingian Coal Fired Power Plant is the fi rst plant in Malaysia to use circulating fluidised bed boiler technology, allowing it to handle a wide range of coal types including high moisture coal commonly found in the Balingian region. It is also the largest of its kind in South East Asia.
“With more efficient technology, we are taking a step further into ensuring optimal utilisation of local coal resources. This new technology will reduce the emission of nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide by more than 40 per cent, improving the environmental footprint of the plant,” Sharbini said.
There was a strong community element during the celebration of the safety milestone where activities including a Health, Safety and Environmental ( HSE) Run and safety-themed competitions were held among Sarawak Energy’s employees and its contractors to further instil safety into their culture.
The state- owned energy development and power utility company harnesses the state’s indigenous coal resources to ensure security of supply in order to provide all Sarawakians with reliable and affordable power.