SANDAKAN: Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Maximus Ongkili yesterday visited the biomass power plant in Seguntor operated by Seguntor Bioenergy Sdn Bhd which has incorporated a biogas power generation facility.
During his visit, Dr Ongkili was briefed on the power plant which uses combustion of biomass to produce steam to drive turbines to generate 11.5MW of electricity. He was also told that after three years of operation the biomass power plant would achieved stable power generation with monthly availability of more than 85 per cent.
“The plant adopts an innovative process to generate electricity from biomass with the effective use of empty fruit bunches (EFB) as a classic case of successful conversion of ‘waste to wealth’.
“Furthermore, for the first time in Malaysia, biogas power generation is incorporated into a biomass power plant. Here, 2MW of electricity is generated from biogas extracted from biomass affluent that drives the gas engine.
“The power plant is certified for 250,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually,” he said.
Power generated is sold to Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd under the Feed-In-Tariff renewable energy power purchase agreement (REPPA).
“The electricity generated has contributed to improvement in power generation in the Sandakan sector, aside from reducing carbon and methane produced by the plantation industry,” he said.
Dr Ongkili also said his ministry and the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA) would continue to promote initiatives in biomass/biogas power generation, and quotas were still available for bidding under the Feed-in-Tariff programme.
The minister also visited SESB Sandakan Office where he was briefed on the status of power supply and interruptions in the eastern zone of Sabah that made up of Sandakan, Beluran and Telupid.
“Electricity supply and its stability have greatly improved in the last one year through the upgrading of several power stations and the contribution of renewable power suppliers.
“The situation is expected to be better in the coming 12 months with more power being exported to the east coast from completed IPPs in Kimanis,” he said.
On the System Average Interruption Duration Index (Saidi) per minute per consumer, he said it was still high for Sandakan at 796 as recorded in 2012 compared with the overall state’s figure of 490 for the same year.
“However, this is expected to be reduced drastically in the next 12 months given the expected improvement in stability of supply and concrete efforts in reducing interruptions at the electricity distribution end.
“The steps include replacing uncoated wires to aerial bundled cables (ABC) which is the major cause of tripping in the Sandakan zone. The Barisan Nasional government will continue to pursue improvement in basic infrastructure for the people of Sabah, and this includes power supply and other amenities.
“The people’s support and cooperation are therefore crucial for this transformation to be achieved,” he stressed.