Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) [Archive]

Ijud

November 8th, 2004, 07:29 AM

Nerve centre vital to TNB efficiency
BY B.K. SIDHU

DURING the coming festive season, many of us would be celebrating with our families but a team of engineers at Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) would have to work day and night to ensure the entire nation is lit up every second of the day.

TNB’s nerve centre or the national load despatch centre (Nldc), located at its headquarters along Jalan Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, controls the supply and demand of electricity throughout peninsular Malaysia.

There are three shifts daily and in every shift, three engineers would man a computerised information technology (IT) and communications network that is highly intelligent and can detect incidences of blackouts swiftly.

Equally quick has to be the action of those manning the networks, for any slight delay in tripping and shutting down supply from an affected power plant can lead to millions of ringgit in losses in the case of a blackout. So, downtime management is vital.

There has been so much talk about efficiency, and often TNB has been told to improve its efficiency. To say the powerhouse is not efficient would be an overstatement, but there is certainly room for improvement.

There is no denial that the number of blackouts or downtime has been minimised drastically over the years. Since the appointment of a new chairman and CEO, the “culture of regular maintenance’’ has re-emerged.

This is vital because TNB operates like a factory that runs seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and 365 days a year. Regular maintenance is key to higher efficiency and production optimisation, reduction of downtime and outages.

In fact, over the years, average interruptions experienced by users has been reduced from 700 to 100 minutes per customer as at end of last year.

The job of the nerve centre is to balance supply with demand and optimise production. The supply can either be from TNB’s own plants or the several independent power producers (IPPs) where it sources electricity from, and the users can be anywhere in the peninsula.

Advanced Power Solutions Sdn Bhd (APS) president Dr Sallehhudin Yusof said: “When we talk about energy efficiency, it is up to the nerve centre and the operational planners to plan so that the cheapest supply is used first.

“If there is a discrepancy in the planning, then the generation would not be efficient and it would appear that there was no production optimisation.’’

Sallehhudin is a former TNB employee who now owns APS, a power sector software and consultancy company that has clients locally and abroad.

The first grid came about in 1926, constructed from the Chenderoh dam to Kinta Valley by The Perak River Hydro Company. Subsequently it was extended to Papan and Malim Nawar in Perak.

The central region only got its first grid in the 1950s with the Gombak to Bangsar linkage and later extended to Serdang.

Today, TNB has a dedicated transmission division that manages and operates the 132kV, 275kV and 500kV transmission network, known as the national grid.

The grid spans the entire peninsula, connecting power stations owned by TNB and IPPs to its customers. The grid is also interconnected to Thailand’s transmission system operated by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand in the north and to Singapore’s transmission system at Senoko in the south.

The grid is the transport channel from the generation point to the distribution point.

The engineers at the nerve centre operate based on instructions via a docket they received a day ahead. The planning unit will spell out in the docket the exact details of where to source for power to meet demand in the various regions in the Peninsular.

The monitoring is done minute by minute and the computers are updated every second so that any problem can be detected early.

Sallehhudin said what essentially made the power industry efficient was the national grid. Transmission across the globe has remained in the hands of the Government. It is a monopoly unlike generation and distribution, which has often been privatised.

TNB, under the new leadership, is fast tracking the installation of the SCADA (supervisory control and distribution automation system) that would allow it to track blackouts as they occur, thus minimizing downtime.

Thus far the system has been installed in the Klang Valley and would be commissioned by year-end. It would be extended to the entire country in stages.

TNB is on the road to push for further efficiency and that is why its people at the nerve centre has to remain alert although they have to be away from their families during the upcoming happy occasions.

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An engineer manning the computerised IT and communications network at TNB's nerve centre

mams

November 23rd, 2004, 04:55 PM

TNB Conducts Feasibility Study On Second Power Plant In Pakistan

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) is currently conducting a feasibility study on the setting up of a second power plant in Pakistan, said its president and chief executive officer, Datuk Che Khalib Mohamad Noh, Tuesday.

The study will be followed by a visit by the board of directors of the national utility corporation to Pakistan next January to negotiate a deal with the relevant authorities there, he said.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the company's Aidilfitri and Deepavali open house here, Che Khalib said that the board would discuss the terms of the project with the Pakistani authorities.

He said TNB had identified four to five local investors who are very keen to participate in the project.

He said once TNB had firmed up with the Pakistani authority, then it would invite those investors to submit a better proposal to participate in the joint-venture with the utility organisation.

However, he said TNB still had to study the matter before making a decision.

If everything goes well, Che Khalib said, to build the plant would not take much time as it could be completed within two years.

Asked on when the project would start, Che Khalib said: "If we want to start, we will start some time next year."

TNB already operates a 235mw natural gas-fired Liberty power plant, in the Pakistani province of Sindh.

Che Khalib said the second power station would be an extension (of the second phase) of the RM1.6 billion Liberty power plant.

Asked on financing, he said the cost for the new plant would be lower compared to the first power plant as TNB already had its main infrastructure there.

Asked on the progress of TNB's move to be tough on its top five power users, which owed the company over RM500 million in unpaid bills, Che Khalib said so far all the five companies had met their payment schedules.

He said TNB had given a payment schedule to the five delinquent companies to pay up within a period of between 15 to 24 months.

He said only one of the defaulters was scheduled to pay within 24 months, while the others were scheduled to pay within 15 months.

-- BERNAMA

mams

December 2nd, 2004, 06:12 PM

TNB Initiates Operations Benchmarking

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 2 (Bernama) -- Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has embarked on an initiative to create a benchmark for the assessment of its operations' effectiveness.

Its chief executive officer, Datuk Che Khalib Mohamad Noh, said that under the initiative, expected to be completed in a period of six months, TNB would be comparing its operations' effectiveness with other foreign companies offering similar services in the US, Europe, Asia Pacific and Australia.

"This initiative is in line with the government's intention to increase the capabilities of companies under its wings," he told a press conference here Thursday.

He said the measuring standards would be applied not only to its financial capability but also to its stock readiness, time taken in the response to customer complaints, and the average number of times clients have faced power problems.

He said the financial management aspect would only contribute 20 percent to the overall effectiveness of the company in running its operations.

Among others, Che Khalib said TNB was finalising the appointment of the consultant for the initiative.

He added that the Securities Commission had also undertaken a same initiative for the utilities giant.

-- BERNAMA

mams

December 15th, 2004, 02:35 PM

Proton & TNB Among 10 Most Exciting Companies In Muslim World

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 15 (Bernama) -- Two Malaysian companies, Proton Holdings Bhd and Tenaga Nasional Bhd, have been named as among the 10 most exciting companies in the Muslim world by Dinar Standard, a newly-launched news portal (www.dinarstandard.com) focusing on business developments in Muslim countries.

In addition, these two companies are also among 22 Malaysian companies listed in the top 100 companies in the Muslim world (DS100) in terms of revenue in 2003.

Malaysian companies formed the second largest number in the DS100 list behind Turkey with 24 companies.

Overall, companies from 18 out of the 57 OIC (Organisation of Islamic Conference) member countries made into the list.

The DS100 list is the first ever ranking of top businesses in the Muslim world and reveals a rich diversity of companies that are leading their markets, both regionally and globally.

Dinar Standard said the goal of the DS100 list is to reflect as close a picture as possible of the leading business activities in the OIC member countries.

"The DS100 aims to provide managers and strategists with a tool to benchmark trends and identify major issues and opportunities. At the same time, the DS100 aims to recognise companies that are leading the charge in the global competitive landscape and are making a significant impact in the well-being of their communities," it added.

Heading the list of Malaysian companies is Petronas with revenues of US$25.664 billion in 2003 and ranked third in the entire list behind Saudi Arabian Oil Company or Saudi Aramco (US$83.1 billion) and the National Iranian Oil Company (US$38.37 billion).

The other Malaysian companies in the list are Sime Darby, Oriental Holdings, Telekom Malaysia, PPB Group, Petronas Dagangan, Malaysian Airline System, Maybank, Federal Flour Mills, Commerce Asset Holdings, Berjaya Group, Malaysian International Shipping Corporation, Edaran Otomobil Nasional (EON), DRB-Hicom, Maxis Communications, Amsteel Corporation, Genting, AMMB Holdings, YTL Corp and UMW Holdings.

In its remarks on Proton as being one of the 10 most exciting companies in the Muslim world, Dinar Standard said only 11 countries out of the 146 World Trade Organisation members can design and manufacture a vehicle from the ground up with the latest technology, meeting world standards.

And in 2002, Malaysia became the 11th country through Proton, it said.

As for TNB, Dinar Standard said TNB, with one of the largest market capitalisation on Bursa Malaysia, "stands out as one of the most successful privatisation efforts by the Malaysian government."

It is also the largest electricity utility company in Malaysia with RM60.0 billion worth of assets serving over six million customers.

The other companies in the 10 most exciting companies list are Emirates (United Arab Emirates), Indofood (Indonesia), Koc Holding (Turkey), Saudi Aramco (Saudi Arabia), Bank Mandiri (Indonesia), Orascom Telecom (Egypt) and Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Saudi Arabia) and ENKA (Turkey).

-- BERNAMA

mams

December 21st, 2004, 03:14 PM

Tenaga Signs Agreement For Port Dickson Power Plant Rehabilitation

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 (Bernama) -- Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) Tuesday signed an agreement with a consortium of companies, for the award of a contract valued slightly below RM2 billion, involving Tuanku Jaafar Power Station Rehabilitation Project Phase II (750 MW combined-cycle power plant) in Port Dickson.

The agreement was signed with Sumitomo Corporation, Toshiba Corporation, General Electric Company (GE), General Electric Power System Inc. (GEPSI) and General Electric Power System (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (GEPSM).

TNB's chief executive officer, Datuk Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said the project cost would be slightly below RM2 billion, of which the EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contract was worth RM1.29 billion.

The EPC together with consultancy services packages will be covered by Japan Bank of International Cooperation's (JBIC) official development assistance (ODA) which accounts for 75 percent of the total project cost while the remainder will be borne by TNB via internal funds.

"The local portion is still being negotiated with local contractors and we shall be finalising it before May 2005 but that is when the project is expected to physically start. We expect it to be worth around RM400 million," Che Khalib told reporters after the signing ceremony here Tuesday.

As for the ODA, he said as it was under a special yen loan package, the loan carried a favourable interest rate of one percent for a repayment period of 40 years.

Meanwhile, chairman Datuk Amar Leo Moggie in his address said the project would be divided into four areas including demolition work and site preparation, EPC for the combined cycle power plant, the development of a 275kV transmission line and Olak Lempit substation and lastly, consultancy services.

He said the project was to improve the overall efficiency of TNB generation system and strengthening the national grid by replacing the existing generating units with environmentally clean and high efficiency gas turbine power plant through the use of natural gas.

Currently, the plant's capacity is 600 MW which consists of stage 1 and 2 of the 4 X 60MW conventional oil-fired thermal plants and stage 3 of the 3 X 120MW conventional oil/gas-fired thermal plants.

"The construction of the new combined cycle plant is scheduled to start in February 2005. Commissioning of the two simple cycle gas turbines will be in 34 months after the issuance of Notice to Proceed (NTP), whereas the commissioning of the combined cycle block will be in 40 months time," Moggie said.

Commenting on the project further, Che Khalib said the rehabilitation works would involve clearing off the old plants and hoped that these would be completed by April 2005.

As to what other plants would be upgraded, he said, "We are looking at not so much of upgrading but we are rehabilitating and maintaining the Paka plant currently as well as that of Connaught Bridge. These two plants are already over 22 years".

He said there is a need to extend the life span of the existing plants to meet the required 5,000 MW supply capacity over the next five years.

-- BERNAMA

baqthier

February 21st, 2005, 12:24 PM

Taman Keramat in darkness after explosions rock TNB substation
Muzliza Mustafa
Feb 16:
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KUALA LUMPUR: Several loud explosions followed by flickering fire at a Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) substation in Jalan AU 2A in Taman Keramat here last night left thousands of residents in the dark.
The explosions, which lasted about 20 minutes, were said to have been caused by a power overload at the substation.

A resident, Azizah Tambi, said the whole area plunged into darkness just after the first explosion at 9.45pm.

To her surprise, the explosions continued and she counted about 10 of them.

“This is the first time such an incident has happened in this area,” said Azizah.

“I was terrified and so were many of my neighbours.

“We rushed out from our homes as we were afraid something terrible might happen.”

The Malay Mail learnt that firemen from the Ampang Fire and Rescue Department arrived at the scene after receiving distress calls from residents.

The firemen, however, could not do much as the substation was not on fire.

When approached, they declined to comment on the incident.

When contacted, TNB corporate communications senior manager (media relations) Syed Hidzam Osman said the explosions were caused by a power trip at the substation there.

“This was due to an overload situation which caused the cables in the substation to be burnt,” he said, adding that TNB would be supplying five generator sets to supply electricity temporarily to the areas affected by the trip while their technical team rectified the problem.

“TNB’s technical and engineering team will be working round-the-clock to repair the damaged cables.”

Syed Hidzam said that since it involved repair work, power would only be restored by 5am this morning at the earliest.

nazrey

February 26th, 2005, 01:26 PM

Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN) Open Day 2005 - For June 2005 Intake

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OPEN DAY SIMULTANEOUSLY AT BANGI & MUADZAM SHAH CAMPUS

The main objectives of Universiti Tenaga Nasional Open Day:

Ø to provide opportunities to students who have SPM, STPM or higher qualifications to interact and obtain counselling services from the lecturers on the programmes offered by UNITEN. The appropriate selection of programmes is important as it is closely related to the career one plans to pursue.

Ø to give exposure to school students especially those who would be sitting for their SPM and STPM examinations on the higher education opportunities available here.

Ø to invite parents and students to view the campus infrastructure and facilities available at UNITEN such as library, computer laboratories, apartments, lecture theatrettes as well as the social, recreational and sports amenities.

The programmes lined up for UNITEN'S Open Day 2005 include:

Ø Briefings on academic programmes - Engineering, Information Technology, Business Management and Accounting.

Ø Academic counseling by lecturers

Ø Exhibition

Ø Campus tour

Ø Sale and Acceptance of Application Forms for the June 2005 intake.

(apply with original results)

Universiti Tenaga Nasional’s main campus is located about 25 kilometers south of the capital city of Kuala Lumpur near Kajang in Selangor and easily accessible via a number of highways. Nestled on a 214 –hectare site of gently sloping land amid lush greenery, situated close to the commercial and cultural activities of Kuala Lumpur, the modern and serene campus provides an ideal environment for academic fulfillment and intellectual growth.

The campus is strategically located within the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), a mega project area dedicated to information technology development that has attracted giant companies from all over the world to conduct their research and development activities into new technologies. It is close to Cyberjaya, the hub of major MSC activities and is just next to Putrajaya, the Malaysian Government’s new administrative center.

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nazrey

February 26th, 2005, 01:34 PM

Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN)
By: Zafri Baharuddin

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nazrey

February 26th, 2005, 01:35 PM

delete

nazrey

February 26th, 2005, 01:38 PM

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nazrey

February 26th, 2005, 01:39 PM

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nazrey

February 26th, 2005, 01:40 PM

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nazrey

March 2nd, 2005, 08:04 PM

TNB Not Liable For Jan 13 Blackout, Says Energy Ministry
March 02, 2005 23:00 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, March 2 (Bernama) -- Tenaga Nasional Bhd is not liable for the Jan 13 blackout which hit parts of southern and central Peninsular Malaysia.

There was no evidence of negligence on the part of the operators at the National Load Dispatch Centre and on TNB, the Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications said in a statement, here Wednesday.

This is based on Article 17(3) of the Electricity Supply Act 1990.

Therefore, "any issue on rebate should be solely decided by TNB at its own discretion," the ministry said.

These findings were made after receiving and reviewing reports which the ministry had requested from the utility firm, the regulator (Energy Commission) and independent expert Advanced Power Solution to be submitted to its Minister, Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik.

The statement said that Dr Lim has instructed the Energy Commission to be more proactive in regulating the industry.

He also ordered a technical audit to be conducted on transmission facilities in order to identify weaknesses in the system and to take mitigation measures to prevent such incidents from occurring again.

-- BERNAMA

mams

April 18th, 2005, 08:26 PM

TNB's Team Likely To Win Shoaiba Project

KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 (Bernama) -- Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), together with two other parties, will likely win a bid for a 60 percent stake in the Shoaiba Phase 3 Independent Water and Power Project in Saudi Arabia.

The other parties in the Bidder Consortium are Malakoff Bhd and Arabian Company for Water and Power Projects Ltd (ACWA).

"We managed to submit our bid before the closing date whereas others had failed," said TNB's chairman, Datuk Amar Leo Moggie at a press conference after releasing the group's second half financial year results, here Monday.

"We will have to wait for Saudi Arabia's government to make the final decision. We have been invited to answer some clarifications and we are confident of winning the bid," he added.

If the Bidder Consortium is successful, Khazanah Nasional Bhd will together with the utility giant TNB and Malakoff form a Malaysian Consortium to invest in the former.

The project to be developed on a build, own and operate basis, will be located adjacent to the existing Shoaiba generation and desalination complexes 110 km south of Jeddah, on the western Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia.

The indicative project timetable is for construction to commence towards end-2005 with project commercial operation date scheduled three years later.

ACWA, Malakoff and TNB will be incorporating a limited liability company in Saudi Arabia to undertake the operations and maintenance of the project.

-- BERNAMA

mams

April 18th, 2005, 08:40 PM

TNB's 2H Profit Up 115 Pct To RM723.7 Mln

KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 (Bernama) -- Utility giant Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) recorded a 115.1 percent increase in pre-tax profit to RM723.7 million for the six months ended Feb 28, 2005.

The group net profit increased 888.9 percent to RM303.6 million.

Its chief executive officer Datuk Che Khalib Mohd Noh told a media conference that the performance could be attributed to a 7.7 percent increase in revenue to RM9.185 billion.

The improved revenue was mainly attributed to higher electricity sales which increased by 6.9 percent, he said.

He said the rise in the net profit was mainly due to improved foreign exchange (forex) translation gain of RM78.2 million, hence, reducing its forex translation loss to RM360.6 million from RM543.8 million.

However, TNB posted an increase in operating expenses by 7.0 percent to RM7.599 billion, mainly due to an increase in fuel cost as a result of higher coal prices.

The average coal price for the first half of the period was at US$49 per tonne compared to US$34 per tonne in the same period of last year.

"The fuel cost for the period rose by 34.1 percent," Che Khalib said.

Fuel cost and Independent Power Producer (IPP) purchase cost which together accounted for 62.0 percent of operating expenses, increased by 13.8 percent while other operating expenses in total reduced by 2.4 percent, he said.

The group, however, foresees that the higher coal prices to be partially mitigated by continued electricity demand growth coupled with the initiatives embarked on to improve the operating efficiencies.

Peak demand hits new record high of 12,375 megawatt on April 12.

"We expect the coal prices will be stabilising in the next three to four years," Che Khalib said.

Asked whether TNB would refinance its debts, Che Khalib said the group was still observing the global debt market and it aimed to reduce its gearing level to 1.5 times in the years to come.

Its gearing stood at 1.8 times against 2.0 times, six months ago. "We are looking at various options. Refinance is one of the most effective ways and we are trying hard towards that. We will come back to you when we get started," said Che Khalib.

On the possibility of trimming workforce to increase efficiency, Che Khalib said the group had no plans to cut down staff as it was operating in different ways compared to other big companies.

"In certain part of our operations, we still need a large number of physical workforce," Che Khalib said, adding that the group had now about 27,000 staff nationwide.

Among other things, the group will pay a tax-exempt interim dividend of 3.0 sen per ordinary share for the financial year ending Aug 31, 2005. The book closure and payment dates will be announced in due course.

Moving forward, the group expects to perform satisfactory in line with the government's expectation to achieve economic growth of 5.0 to 6.0 percent for the rest of the financial year.

For individual quarter, TNB's pre-tax profit rose to RM507.2 million in the second quarter ended Feb 28, from RM199.6 million on the back of higher revenue of RM4.640 billion from RM4.285 billion posted in the same quarter last year.

Net profit improved by 416.8 percent to RM295.1 million from RM57.1 million, mainly from the improvement in operating profit and foreign exchange translation gain of RM78.2 million.

nazrey

February 22nd, 2009, 09:02 AM

CONGRATULATIONS TO TNB!!

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ManUtd apparently approached another Malaysian company too.It's Tenaga Nasional Berhad (Malaysian energy provider)

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is the largest electricity utility company in Malaysia and also the largest power company in Southeast Asia with RM65 billion worth of assets serving over six million customers throughout Peninsular Malaysia and the eastern state of Sabah. TNB's core activities are in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. TNB is ranked 10th in FTSE/Asean 40 Index, with market capitalisation of RM41.5 billion.

Globally and regionally, TNB enjoys a reputation for outstanding performance. TNB is the only Malaysian energy company to rank among the top 50 energy companies in Asia in 2006, based on the prestigious Platts’ survey of the top 250 Global Energy Companies. Internationally, Platts ranks TNB at 168th among the top 250 Global Energy Companies.

nazrey

March 3rd, 2009, 02:27 PM

TNB wants to operate Bakun plant, eyes cable stake
By Goh Thean Eu and Azlan Abu Bakar Published: 2008/12/18

TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) (5347) , via a consortium, wants to operate the Bakun hydroelectric plant in Sarawak but not buy a stake, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Senator Tan Sri Amirsham Abdul Aziz.

However, the utility wants to own a stake in the RM9 billion 700km submarine cable, that will transmit power from the dam to the peninsula.

A proposal has been tabled to the government.

“We are still discussing with TNB and the consortium on how best to put this forward. We have to get this thing out as soon as possible,” Amirsham told reporters at the sidelines of the Economic Planning Unit briefing in Putrajaya yesterday.

The government needs to decide on TNB’s proposal urgently as Bakun is crucial to address peninsular Malaysia’s electricity needs over the long-term.

Talks on funding will also start once the government agrees on the proposal, he added.

Meanwhile, the minister said talks with independent power producers on extending their concessions will resume after country’s long-term gas needs are resolved.

“Right now, there is not enough supply of gas. We are looking into how we can bring in gas, not only for the IPPs but also for the industry as well … (Then) we should be in a good position to talk again about extending the concession.

“We are in discussion with Petronas. We are looking at the availability of gas for the industry beyond 2016,” said Amirsham.

nazrey

March 3rd, 2009, 02:28 PM

TNB rises despite govt plan to cut electricity rates
Published: 2009/02/11

SHARES of Tenaga Nasional Bhd (5347) rose 10 sen or 1.7 per cent to RM5.85 yesterday despite the government's plan to cut electricity prices.

Most analysts believe the lower tariff would not erode TNB's earnings as it would likely be accompanied by a cut in gas prices.

"Based on reliable sources, we believe that a reduction of about 6.5 per cent to 31 sen/kWh from 33 sen/kWh will be announced sometime this week or next," MIDF Research wrote in a note yesterday.

For that quantum of reduction, MIDF said, Petroleum Nasional Bhd may be asked by the government to cut gas price by about 10 per cent to RM12.88 per unit from the current price of RM14.32.
The tariff cut is expected to have a neutral impact on TNB's earnings prospect, MIDF said.

nazrey

March 3rd, 2009, 02:28 PM

'Power tariff cut only part of govt's efforts'
By Rupa DamodaranPublished: 2009/02/18

The International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) has urged the industrial sector to look at the revised electricity tariff as part of government's efforts to mitigate the impact of the economic crisis.

Its minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin said although the rate cut was small and disappointed the industrial and manufacturing communities and commercial users, it was not the only input affecting production.

"The government is adopting a holistic approach and tariffs are not the only way. Tariffs for raw materials have been brought down and there are also other production costs which need to be looked at," he told a media briefing in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (5347) recently announced a 5 per cent reduction in tariff rates for industrial users and a 2.7 per cent reduction for commercial users effective from March 1.

The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce & Industry of Malaysia and the Master Builders Association of Malaysia were disappointed with the rate cut, saying the tariff should revert to the old rate before the 26 per cent increase on July 1 last year.
They described the cut as dismal and unsympathetic in view of the current economic crisis which had affected manufacturers and industries.

Muhyiddin said MITI will study suggestions that tariffs be lowered for usage during off peak periods on Saturday and Sunday.

nazrey

March 3rd, 2009, 02:29 PM

RM100m power boost for Batu Kawan industries
By Marina EmmanuelPublished: 2009/01/16

STATE-OWNED utility Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) (5347) has earmarked RM100 million for a transmission main intake station in Batu Kawan, Penang, which will help make it a preferred investment site.

"This is to cater to the demand for industries at Batu Kawan, a new area for investment that the state government wishes to promote," TNB president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh told reporters after making a courtesy call on Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in George Town yesterday.

Che Khalib said the construction of the transmission main intake station would be in tandem with the completion of the Second Penang Bridge, which links Batu Maung on the island and Batu Kawan on the mainland.

"It is a win-win partnership for Tenaga and the state government to ensure that more investors flock to Penang," he said.
"On our part, we will ensure that the infrastructure can cater to investors' needs.

"We are also working to achieve a five-minute guarantee of power restoration in Penang industrial estates in the event of a power interruption," he added.

The proposed transmission main intake station is in the planning stage and awaiting approval from the state government.

Meanwhile, TNB had invested RM76 million in Penang last year and is set to spend another RM80 million this year to upgrade ageing power cables in the city area, some of which are close to 40-years-old.

On the government's proposed move for lower electricity tariffs, Che Khalib said: "We are in discussion with the government and we are sure we can come to a resolution on this matter."

He said a review of the power purchase agreements with independent power producers (IPPs) "should be one of the solutions that can be considered" in order to safeguard Tenaga's bottom line.

"The interest of IPPs in making a profit should also be looked into," he added.

nazrey

March 3rd, 2009, 02:30 PM

'TNB may save RM59m yearly from bond repurchase'
Published: 2009/02/19

AMRESEARCH Sdn Bhd estimates that Tenaga Nasional Bhd's (TNB) (5347) interest charge could be cut by RM59 million annually, or 1 per cent of its forecast earnings of RM3 billion for financial year 2010, with its bond repurchase exercise.

Yesterday, TNB said it bought back and intends to cancel US$165.3 million (RM605 million) of debt that will mature in 2011.

It also announced plans to buy up another US$135 million (RM494 million) of bonds in the next six months, in an effort to cut its exposure to US dollar debt.

AmResearch analyst Alex Goh said the estimate of savings in interest charge was based on the assumption that TNB would be able to acquire the other notes at a yield of 5.5 per cent.
"These exercises are TNB's pre-emptive moves to reduce its debts at favourable rates as yields on the 2011 notes have risen to 5.5 per cent as at February 12, from 4.6 per cent as at August 31 2008 due to the global financial crisis," Goh said.

AmResearch maintains its earnings forecast for the financial years 2009 to 2011 though, as the reduction in TNB's debt due to its improving cash flow has already been factored in its estimates.

"We remain positive on TNB due to the continued weakness in the prices of coal, the government's move towards a more transparent tariff mechanism and its high stock liquidity with strong liquidity with strong local institutional support," Goh said.

nazrey

March 3rd, 2009, 02:30 PM

TNB sheds some light on debts
Published: 2009/03/02

Tenaga's debts of RM24 billion may have jolted the uninitiated few. Group chief financial officer Datuk Izzaddin Idris tells Zuraimi Abdullah when and how the utility giant amassed the debts.

TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB)'s (5347) huge debts were not accumulated only recently. Rather, they were largely amassed since the group's listing in 1992, its accounting chief said.

"Since we were listed in 1992, we borrowed money to continually invest and improve our system," said group chief financial officer Datuk Izzaddin Idris, who joined the utility in 2004.

TNB's loans grew to RM24 billion as of November last year, from RM22 billion as of August 2008.

"In just three months, our loans grew by RM2 billion due to the strengthening of the US dollar and yen against the ringgit," Izzaddin said.
Slightly more than half of the RM24 billion debts are denominated in the dollar and yen, he said, adding that its cash flows are just enough to finance capital and operating expenditures.

As of November last year, the dollar loans accounted for 27.5 per cent of TNB's total loans, the yen loans were 22.8 per cent, while the rest were in ringgit.

Explaining the current gearing position, he said at one stage, TNB could not borrow domestically as the local debt capital market was not fully developed then.

"Planting up is a long gestation business. At that time, we could not borrow more than seven years, so we went overseas and tapped on markets that could offer 10-year, 30-year and even 100-year loans.

"But the problem with the foreign loans, particularly the US dollar-bonds, is that we cannot pre-pay even if we have the money. The yen loans are more unique as they carry 1-3 per cent interest rate per annum with longer tenure of 40 years but these loans were arranged as part of the Japanese government assistance programme. So, they are difficult to restructure. Besides, over a 40-year period any losses are translational or book losses."

Izzaddin said the group's medium-term loan repayment concern is the maturity of a US$570 million (RM2.1 billion) bonds in 2011, although before that, in 2009 and 2010, it would have to pay RM1 billion each worth of loans.

"The RM1 billion worth of loans due each in 2009 and 2010 is not a problem for us because we can pay from our cashflow or local borrowings. But in 2011, we need to repay about RM3.7 billion worth of borrowings including the US$570 million bonds," he said.

Why then didn't TNB hedge? The ringgit is not traded overseas.

"Hence, there is no ready or liquid market for such long-tenure hedging. If there were any, the deal would likely be expensive," he added.

Izzaddin warned that TNB would continue to suffer financially and this could affect consumers and even the banking sector if key costs beyond its control keep spiraling upwards.

TNB's cashflow is adversely affected by the rising uncontrollable costs like coal procurement and capacity payments to independent power producers (IPPs), including for the standby power it does not require.

This is compounded by the lower demand for electricity due to the global economic and financial crisis,

TNB is facing a financial crisis of its own, he added. Hence, any requests for lower power tariffs will not be possible unless its operating cost is reduced.

Izzaddin stressed that he sees no end in sight to TNB's present financial setback and the inability to offer lower tariffs for consumers if the uncontrollable costs continue to trouble the group.

Uncontrollable costs accounted for close to 80 per cent of TNB's total operating costs of RM21 billion in the year ended August 2008.

In FY2008, 60 per cent of group operating costs went towards payments to IPPs and the cost of procuring the coal supply from Australia, Indonesia and South Africa as well as gas from Petronas. Payments to IPPs alone amounted to RM8.7 billion, of which RM4.8 billion was attributed to capacity payments.

For FY2009, Izzaddin said, TNB will pay up to RM5 billion in capacity payments to the IPPs and this will continue to rise in the future. These payments are basically fixed payments to the IPP regardless of any slowdown in demand growth or how much energy is dispatched from the IPPs.

"The capacity payments will cover IPPs' annual debt repayments, both principal and interest, as well as shareholder returns," he said.

He argued that if the IPPs were concerned about their bonds, TNB should be worried too over its RM24 billion debts. Its failure to service loans would affect not just the powerhouse but the whole sector and the banking industry.

"Instead of the RM12 billion debt owed by the IPPs, it is a RM36 billion problem with the RM24 billion debt owed by TNB. If TNB's finances collapse, it might even affect the domestic banking sector. TNB will not be able to pay (the IPPs) the capacity payments if our finances are strained," he said.

Izzaddin pointed out that TNB also needs to fork out some US$1 billion (RM3.70 billion) to import up to 10 million tonnes of coal this year, at a price projected at US$100 per tonne.

"Coal has become an expensive source of electricity. In the mid-1990s, as part of the fuel-diversification policy to reduce the over-dependence on gas, the government decided that coal should be an option to fuel up power plants.

"Coal was then traded at US$20-US$25 (RM74-RM93) per tonne and all of the industry's requirements are imported. So, we are subjected to global prices on the international market," he said.

"Everyone needs to immediately address and not ignore the elephant in the room - our fuel and IPP costs.

"The big issue is, can we continue to provide a reliable supply of electricity if our finances are strained? The good news is that for the time being, the cashflow is still coming as we collect about RM2 billion every month from customers. But there will come a point when the loans must be repaid."

For now, TNB has to shoulder all costs, especially the uncontrollable ones until the IPPs are willing to review their power purchase agreements and a reprieve in the form of a transparent tariff framework is introduced.

nazrey

March 16th, 2009, 09:30 PM

Tenaga is most profitable firm in Khazanah's stable
Published: Monday March 16, 2009 MYT 3:54:00 PM
By LESTER KONG

KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Bhd was the most profitable government-linked company (GLC) under Khazanah Nasional's management in 2008 with a profit of RM2.594bil.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Kong Cho Ha said Bumiputra Commerce Holdings Bhd was the second most profitable at RM1.952bil for the same fiscal year.

Replying to Datuk Baharum Mohamed (BN - Sekijang), he said they were two of the eight Khanazah-managed GLCs that made profits in 2008.

The rest were Telekom Malaysia Bhd (RM791.9mil), TM International Bhd (RM497.98), Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (RM305.2mil), Malaysia Airline System Bhd (RM244.31), Proton Holdings Bhd (RM184.55mil) and UEM World Bhd (RM80.37mil).

To a supplementary question from Baharum, Kong said the Government was satisfied with the perfomance of the GLCs' respective management and staff and disagreed with Baharum's allegations that they were unsupportive of the Government.

"I disagree with the statement that the CEOs of the GLCs do not support the Government.

"They have carried out their duties and responsibility as expected of them to maintain the companies' performance.

"In their work, they have also held corporate social responsibility programmes for the public," he said.

nazrey

March 23rd, 2009, 04:18 PM

One Million Low-Income Earners Benefit From TNB Power Rebate, Says TNB
March 23, 2009 19:51 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 (Bernama) -- The government's move to absorb RM53.26 million in the form of rebate for consuming electricity costing RM20 and below has immensely benefited low-income earners since the rebate took effect from Oct 1, 2008 till last month, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) said today.

In February alone, a total of 1,010,107 consumers benefited from the rebate offer introduced in the 2009 Budget, the power utility giant said in reply to a Bernama query.

When tabling the budget, the government announced the rebate for domestic consumers whose monthly electricity bill is RM20 and below. The offer will remain in force from Oct 1, 2008 till end of this year.

However, owners of residence with zero kilowatt hour (for instance vacant premises) are not eligible for the rebate, TNB said.

Terengganu emerged as the state to receive the highest percentage of rebate in February at 29.99 percent, followed by Kelantan (29.94 percent) and Kedah (24.3 percent).

Pahang (21.71 percent), Perlis (20.77 percent), Perak (18.20 percent), Negeri Sembilan (16.83 percent), Melaka (16.35 percent), Penang (15.51 percent), Johor (15.22 percent), Putrajaya and Cyberjaya (14.21 percent), Selangor (12.72 percent) and Kuala Lumpur (12.65 percent)

TNB said the government paid the rebate amount directly to the company.

The rebate amount would be printed in the monthly electricity bill of eligible consumers and stated that the government has paid the rebate amount.

TNB said consumers eligible for the rebate but are still receiving electricity bills should verify the total payable amount to know if they have to make any payment.

-- BERNAMA

nazrey

March 30th, 2009, 03:18 PM

Earth Hour: TNB Records 550mw Drop
March 30, 2009 20:59 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, March 30 (Bernama) -- Although the Earth Hour campaign last Saturday resulted in electricity consumption dipping by 550 megawatt, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is not complaining.

Rather, TNB accepts the hour-long campaign which began at 8.30pm, was for a good cause.

The 550 megawatt is equivalent to 14 million fluorescent bulbs of 40 watt each.

"While this minor fall in demand will result in a slight shaving of our revenue, we accept that Earth Hour is for a good cause," said TNB president/chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh in a statement here today.

He said, during the one-hour period of the energy conservation initiative, TNB staff were extra vigilant, in the event of untoward operational snags.

"Everything went on very smoothly and we were able to respond to the slightly lower demand, without any operational glitch.

"Demand peaked almost rapidly at 9.30pm, to follow the normal Saturday evening demand pattern," added Che Khalib.

He said TNB was surprised by the support and appreciation demonstrated by many of its customers on the worldwide Earth Hour campaign.

-- BERNAMA

nazrey

April 16th, 2009, 10:46 AM

TNB swings to net profit of RM675m in Q2
By Goh Thean Eu
Published: 2009/04/16

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) (5347) swung to a net profit in its second quarter and it expects demand for electricity to pick up for the rest of the year as the worst is probably over.

The country's biggest utility made a net profit of RM674.6 million for the quarter to February 28, thanks to a more stable coal price and lower foreign exchange (forex) losses.

It reported a net loss of RM944 million in the first quarter mainly because of a RM1.4 billion forex loss caused by a weak ringgit.

Chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohd Noh doesn't expect a repeat of the large forex loss. Things are also looking up as demand for power probably reached its bottom in February.

Electricity demand, which grew by 7.7 per cent during its fiscal first half, fell by 3.2 per cent in the first half of 2009. The decline was mainly driven by lower demand from the industrial sector.
"Second quarter was quite frightening for us. Demand for electricity went down quite drastic as a result of the Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year holidays.

"But, we could see that from the March numbers, which we have been monitoring on a weekly basis, the figures are pretty stable," he told a media briefing in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

TNB doesn't expect demand to fall more than 3.2 per cent this fiscal year and if the government's stimulus packages are rolled out quickly, demand could even match 2008 numbers.

Revenue for the second quarter grew by 15 per cent compared with the same quarter last year. The firm expects revenue to grow by around 19 per cent for the full year, as a result of the new tariff rates.

TNB has also secured all of its coal supply for this fiscal year that ends on August 31 2009. However, the price for almost a third of that is not fixed and is linked to an international index.

Coal prices, which averaged US$53.9 (US$1 = RM3.62) per metric tonne in its first half last year, almost doubled to US$100.9 per metric tonne in the first six months this year.

"We expect coal prices to average US$85 per metric tonne for the full year," he said.

TNB plans to meet the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry at the end of this month to discuss the country's electricity roadmap and power purchase agreement renegotiations.

"I think the minister needs time to settle down and it is only fair for us to give them that time," said Che Khalib.

nazrey

April 23rd, 2009, 04:40 AM

TNB 575th Biggest Company In The World
April 22, 2009 20:19 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Bernama) -- Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has surged 50 spots to rank 575th biggest company in the world in this year's Forbes Global 2000.

In a statement here today, TNB said this was achieved despite the challenging environment it faced like sluggish growth in electricity demand, unstable fuel prices and weaker ringgit.

Its president/chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh, said the latest listing was a continuous recognition of the excellent progress the company has made since 2004 in terms of cost management and value creation.

TNB was ranked at 681 in 2007, an increase of 91 positions from 2006 and surged 56 spots to 625th place in 2008.

The list, which was introduced in 2004, uses an equal weighting of sales, profits, assets and market value to rank companies according to size.

TNB said of the 19 Malaysia companies listed in Forbes Global 2000 this year, it was ranked third with sales of US$7.58 billion, assets of US$20.58 billion and market value of US$7.54 billion.

-- BERNAMA

nazrey

May 23rd, 2009, 04:56 AM

TNB to boost hydro power
By Shahriman Johari
Published: 2009/05/23

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/ganu-2/pix_topright

The national utility plans to build two hydro-power plants in Lebir and Nenggiri, Kelantan, that may cost up to RM2.8 billion

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB)(5347) plans to build two hydro-power plants in Kelantan that may cost as much as RM2.8 billion as it seeks to increase its renewable energy capacity, a senior company official said.

The national utility is in talks with the Department of Irrigation and Drainage (DID) to share the cost of developing the plants, which could have a combined generation capacity of 700 megawatts (MW).

These would also probably be the last sizeable hydro plants in Peninsular Malaysia, which does not have enough major rivers to generate a lot of electricity.

Malaysia wants to raise its renewable energy capacity as it seeks to deal with the volatile costs of fuel like natural gas and coal.
Unlike thermal plants that need to burn fuel such as coal to produce power, hydro plants have zero fuel cost as they use water instead.

The proposed plants will be located in Lebir and Nenggiri, said Mior Shahar Mior Nazrin, general manager for TNB's hydro division.

"We have done a field study. Now, TNB is discussing with DID to develop (the plants) jointly," he told a group of reporters during a visit to the Kenyir hydro-power plant in Terengganu yesterday.

TNB is proposing to share the cost of the plants because DID is already working on plans to widen the Kelantan river and build a dam as part of its flood mitigation works, Mior Shahar explained.

TNB currently operates 15 hydro-power plants in Peninsular Malaysia. Collectively, they make up only about a tenth of Peninsular Malaysia's total installed capacity.

The utility is also in the midst of developing hydro-power plants in Hulu Terengganu as well as Ulu Jelai in Pahang. They have passed environmental assessment studies and TNB is calling for bids to develop the plants after pre-qualifying a group of contractors.

The Hulu Terengganu plant will have 250MW capacity, while the Ulu Jelai plant will have an installed capacity of 372MW.

Peninsular Malaysia's biggest hydro-power plant is in Pergau, Kelantan, which has an installed capacity of 600MW. However, it will be eclipsed by the Bakun plant in Sarawak which is being built.

The Bakun plant will have a total installed capacity of 2,400MW and the bulk of power generated will be transmitted to Peninsular Malaysia using the world's longest undersea cables.

nazrey

June 1st, 2009, 07:39 AM

Kincir Angin by TNB @ Pulau Perhentian
http://fotoweb.bernama.com/fotoweb/preview.fwx?position=52&folderid=5093&search=&sorting=modifytime_desc

nazrey

June 2nd, 2009, 04:56 AM

The future looks nuclear
Published: 2009/06/02

TNB is pushing for the use of nuclear energy and it wants a decision around 2013 to head off a power crunch in 2025. Shahriman Johari takes a look at the nuclear issue and the concerns Malaysians have over the energy source.

IN THE 1970s, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) had actually examined nuclear power as an option after oil prices surged when the main producing countries decided to turn off the tap. But Malaysia found gas in Terengganu and the government decided to use that as the main source of fuel for the power sector. That was about 20 years ago and in another 10 years or so, we would have used up all of that gas.

It was probably deja vu for TNB last year when gas and coal prices shot through the roof. The volatile price of those commodities has raised concerns over Malaysia’s ability to secure enough fuel supply that would also help to keep electricity prices at a reasonable level.

Now, TNB is actively pushing for the government to use nuclear energy and it wants a decision around 2013 to comfortably head off a power crunch sometime in 2025. SHAHRIMAN JOHARI takes a look at the nuclear issue and the concerns Malaysians have over the energy source.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If Malaysia wants a reliable source of power that is also reasonably priced in the future, all roads lead to nuclear energy.

Supporters say that it is an option that cannot be discounted because other alternatives may either be too expensive or unreliable in terms of supply security.

"We have to prepare for the nuclear future," said Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) (5347) head of energy unit, Dr Zamzam Jaafar.

Malaysia has a long-term plan to become a developed nation by 2020. But that is also the time when natural gas earmarked for the local power sector is expected to run out. This is a problem because since the 1980s, the country has been relying on heavily subsidised gas price to keep electricity rates low.

Cheap energy cost was one of Malaysia's trump cards as it went through an industrialisation drive in the eighties. Steel companies like Perwaja was born while the national car company, Proton, was also set up at the same time. Foreign investors were also wooed to Malaysia, thanks in part to cheap electricity.

Now, national oil company Petronas has warned that gas supply to the power sector after 2019 would be uncertain.

Gas for the power sector comes from fields offshore Terengganu. While Malaysia has other gas sources in Sabah, these are being sold (at higher market prices) to countries like Japan under contracts that run for around 20 years.

"Our concern now is Peninsular Malaysia where we will have very little gas by 2020," Zamzam told reporters at a briefing in Terengganu recently.

If the country wants to continue using gas, it will have to import at much higher international prices, which means that electricity prices will have to rise as well. Natural gas futures in New York trade around RM13 per unit currently while the local power sector now pays a fixed RM10.70 per unit. (This price was the result of a hike in July 2008. Before that, the power sector enjoyed a price of RM6.40 per unit for a long time).

But the gas price follows the oil price, which means that buyers will be in for another rude shock when the oil price rises again.

When oil reached a record US$147 (RM513) a barrel in July 2008, the gas price also followed suit and was trading around US$13.60 or RM47.60 per unit.

Another option would be to use coal to generate electricity. Unlike gas, Malaysia imports almost all of its coal needs and the price of coal has also proven to be volatile.

In the six months between September 2008 and February 2009, TNB's coal costs averaged US$100 a tonne, double what it paid in the same period a year ago.

The country would also have to double coal imports to cover the loss of electricity powered by natural gas.

It would also mean that Malaysia will be over reliant on coal, a fuel source that's not exactly good for the environment. In addition, future sites of coal plants will be harder to find because the plant needs to be close to a port to lower transportation costs.

What about generating power from the rivers of Sarawak? TNB has estimated that Sarawak rivers have the potential to generate some 28,000MW of electricity. That's about 12 hydro electric plants the size of Bakun.

However, the most that can be transported to Peninsular Malaysia is 10,000MW.

Base load is best

There are certain rules that need to be observed in the electricity industry. The main reason for that is to ensure the security of supply.

One rule is having spare capacity of about 20-30 per cent, which protects the system against sudden surges of demand.

Another rule of thumb is the need to have base load power or power from the most reliable and cheapest sources, making up 60-70 per cent of the peak demand capacity. Currently, Malaysia's base load comes from gas and coal-powered plants. The rest will come from other more expensive plants or those designed to provide power quickly during peak times.

"If TNB must ensure reliable and reasonably priced electricity, the proven base-load nuclear option must not be precluded.

"With uncertain future supply and volatile fossil fuel prices, nuclear power could be viewed as a proven insurance base load power generation option to prevent runaway gas and coal prices," Zamzam said.

TEPCO, the Japanese equivalent of TNB, has nuclear as its base-load power, with its 53 nuclear plants. Nuclear is also the base-load option in South Korea, making up 40 per cent of the country's generation capacity.

source: http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/TNBNUKE/Article/

nazrey

June 2nd, 2009, 05:30 AM

TNB should opt for gas-powered plant: SAPP
Published on: Saturday, May 30, 2009

Kota Kinabalu: Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) should consider building gas-powered power plants so as to address the decades-long energy problems all over the State, said Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP).

Gas-fired powered plants is the best option to overcome the perennial problems, as it is eco-friendly and cheap, said SAPP Information Chief Chong Pit Fah.

"Sabah is the major natural gas producer in the country so there is no reason not to consider building such plants here rather than wasting funds with a coal-fired power plant," he said in a statement, here, Friday.

He said a coal-fired power plant could invite many problems like sickness to the people residing in the surrounding areas as well as the workers.

Chong further said that coal supplies are also another factor, as importing the commodity is not economical.

He said the people would certainly not understand TNB for favouring a coal-fired power plant.

"We could save lots of money with gas-powered plants because gas supply is readily available. But huge sums could go down the drain with a coal-fired power plant as we have to rely on imported coal," he said.

He said there is also no reason for the Federal government to channel all the gas from Sabah to Sarawak for processing at Bintulu and later export it to Japan.

He said some portion of the processed gas should be channelled back to Sabah for power plant usage, which could save the government's coffers.

"Moreover we do not have to worry about gas supplies because we are the producer. Coal supplies could lead us to a major headache if prices escalate and exporting countries like China and Indonesia cannot fulfill demands," he said.

He said the people here are also wondering about the reasons behind TNB's reluctance to channel energy from the Bakun dam or Murum dam, both in Sarawak, to Sabah.

He said TNB should explain to the people why it can commit itself to supply Bakun hydro power to the peninsula and Kalimantan but cannot commit anything to Sabah.

He added that TNB's refusal to commit showed the Barisan Nasional (BN) government was discriminating Sabah in all matters, and energy supply is one fine example.

He also welcomed TNB Chairman Tan Sri Leo Moggie's recent statement that the utility company is now in talks with Petronas and relevant government agencies to initiate the development of a gas-powered power plant in Kimanis.

Chong said the parties involved should speed up the gas-powered power plant project as Sabah in dire need of consistent and cheap energy supply.

He said the TNB could later build another three gas-powered power plants in Sabah with two plants sited at the East Coast to address energy problems over there.

He also called on TNB to speed up the construction of the two hydro potentials in Sabah, namely the Upper Padas and Liwagu rivers.

He added that both hydros, which could generate huge energy, are more reliable and safer compared to a coal-fired power plant.

nazrey

June 16th, 2009, 12:09 PM

TNB completes 2nd phase of power project
Published: 2009/06/16

TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) has completed the second phase of the 750MW Tuanku Jaafar Power Station Rehabilitation project in Negeri Sembilan.

The project was to upgrade the power station by demolishing the existing, aging and inefficient high gas emission conventional natural gas /oil fired plant (360MW) and replacing it with a 750MW facility.

The new plant is both highly efficient and environmental friendly.

Both the first phase -- a 750MW gas fired combined cycle plant completed in 2005 -- and the second were financed by Japanese loans of 102.9 billion yen through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

JICA in a statement today said that the 1,500MW output under the two phases constitutes 14 per cent of TNB's total generation capacity with a supply volume of 3.2 million households.

JICA also said by using domestically produced natural gas, the combined cycle generation plant built under the second phase project, had achieved the highest generation efficiency among the thermal power plants in Malaysia.

According to JICA, the project had offered many business and job opportunities during its implementation, with 43 companies benefiting via participation in the supply of facility equipments.

"In addition, 60 per cent of the workers engaged in the construction works were Malaysians," it added.

A ceremony to mark the completion of the second phase of the project was held today. -- Bernama

nazrey

June 17th, 2009, 12:51 PM

TNB completes Tuanku Jaafar power plant rehabilitation
By Zuraimi AbdullahPublished: 2009/06/17

TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) (5347) has completed rehabilitating the Tuanku Jaafar Power Station in Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, one of the country's oldest power plants, at a total cost of RM4.2 billion in two phases that started in 2002.

President and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said of this, RM3.4 billion was for the construction and generation system, while another RM800 million was for the transmission system.

The power plant now boasts of two new 750 megawatts (MW) gas-fired combined cycle power units that TNB officials said are the most efficient among the existing thermal power plants in the country.

With a combined capacity of 1,500MW, the plant will account for 12 per cent of total electricity demand in Peninsular Malaysia, covering some 3.2 million households.
It has an efficiency rate of 56 per cent - the highest among all thermal power plants in the country including from independent power producers - and reliability level of over 90 per cent.

"At the time of its establishment (in the early 1960s), the Tuanku Jaafar Power Station was considered the queen of all power stations," TNB chairman Tan Sri Leo Moggie said at a ceremony to mark the completion of the second phase of the rehabilitation project in Port Dickson yesterday.

"It reigned supreme as the station with the largest generating capacity in the country for the best part of a decade between 1964 and 1974," he added.

Leo Moggie said the rehabilitation project had benefited from a special soft loan package offered by the Japanese government.

A total of 102.9 billion yen (100 yen = RM3.66) were given for the two phases, according to Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica). The first phase, called PD1 and completed in 2005, received 49.1 billion yen under the package. The remaining 53.8 billion yen loan, sealed in March 2000, was for the second phase or PD2.

The 102.9 billion yen accounted for nearly 10 per cent of the yen-denominated loans given out by the Japanese government to Malaysia to finance infrastructure projects in the country, which totals 917.1 billion to date, Jica noted.

The power sector received the biggest cake, with a share of 46.6 per cent of the overall accumulated loan value.

TNB is paying between 0.75 per cent and 1 per cent interest rate per year over 40 years repayment for the loans, signed as early as 1999. The deal was sweetened with a 10-year grace period from making a payment.

Leo Moggie said the power station started at an eventful time of the country's history on May 13 1969 with an initial installed capacity of 4x60MW. In 1977, an additional capacity of 3x120MW was installed.

Due to its comparatively lower efficiency and uncompetitive power generation costs, the old plant was not economically viable to continue operation. The older units were decommissioned in 2000 and subsequently the remaining units were decommissioned in 2004.

nazrey

June 23rd, 2009, 02:10 AM

nazrey

June 23rd, 2009, 02:17 AM

Two TNB projects at tender stage
Tuesday June 23, 2009

JOHOR BARU: Two of Tenaga Nasional Berhad’s (TNB) planned hydroelectric plants in Hulu Terengganu and Ulu Jelai, Pahang, are now in the tender stage.

TNB general manager (hydro) Mior Shahar Mior Nazrin said the two projects were targeted for completion by 2015.

Ulu Jelai will generate 372 megawatts while Hulu Terengganu will provide a further 250 megawatts of electricity, he told reporters in Terengganu, after a media tour of the hydroelectric dam in Kenyir recently.

Mior Shahar said two other projects in the pipeline, in Lebir and Nenggiri, Kelantan, were expected to be the last major hydroelectric plants in the country as there were no more major rivers from which TNB could generate electricity.

The plants were expected to have a combined capacity of around 700 megawatts.

TNB, he said, was in discussions with the Drainage and Irrigation Department to jointly share the cost of developing the plants.

He said TNB was shifting its dependency on natural gas and coal to hydroelectricity, in line with the Government’s emphasis on greener energy. Hydroelectric power provided 6% of the country’s energy requirements, with gas contributing 70% and coal, 24%.

nazrey

June 26th, 2009, 11:42 AM

Tenaga gets new CFO
Published: 2009/06/26

TENAGA Nasional Bhd, Malaysia’s state-controlled electricity provider, named Mohamed Rafique Merican bin Mohd Wahiduddin Merican, 44, as chief financial officer effective August 17. - Bloomberg

nazrey

June 26th, 2009, 11:43 AM

Bila plak TNB will got new HQ Tower :lol: dah tunggu lama..!

http://img32.picoodle.com/img/img32/3/10/3/f_20m_4f81147.jpg

> http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=755766

nazrey

June 30th, 2009, 06:24 AM

TNB To Develop Solar Energy As Alternative Source Of Power
June 29, 2009 20:50 PM

KUANTAN, June 29 (Bernama) -- Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), through its subsidiary TNB Research Sdn Bhd, has started research on developing solar energy power that will be produced competitively cheaper so as not to burden users.

TNB president and chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said, solar energy power is seen as an alternative source that will be more relevant for the country's need.

"Wind energy electricity production is expensive due to the equipment used and Malaysia's geographical position which is not favourable. It is not viable to depend on wind energy, as such, solar energy is considered very relevant but cost of operating solar energy is very high.

"As such, TNB, together with a number of agencies, are conducting studies to identify a technology that will enable the production of solar energy at a lower cost and one that will not burden the end users," he told reporters after launching a business journal published by Uniten, here Monday.

He added that TNB together with the government was also developing nuclear power as another alternative source of power.

Che Khalib said TNB allocates between RM700 million to RM800 million a year for the maintenance of cables, TNB stations and sub-stations throughout the country.

nazrey

June 30th, 2009, 07:22 PM

nazrey

June 30th, 2009, 07:23 PM

Ingress clinches RM61.9m TNB deal
Published: 2009/07/01

AUTO parts maker Ingress Corp Bhd (7112)has clinched a RM61.9 million contract from Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB).

The project involves a diversion of cable to a power station and the supply, building and commissioning of an auto transformer.

Work will take between 13 and 24 months

nazrey

June 30th, 2009, 07:24 PM

http://www.ytlcommunity.com/common/showimage.asp?imgid=110254

nazrey

June 30th, 2009, 07:29 PM

Ingress Units Secures RM61.9 Worth Of Projects From TNB
June 30, 2009 22:52 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Bernama) -- Ingress Corporation Bhd announced that Tenaga Nasional Bhd has awarded three projects worth totalling RM61.9 million to the unincorporated joint-venture between Ramusa Engineering Sdn Bhd (RESB) and Multi Discovery Sdn Bhd (MDSB).

Both RESB and MDSB are subsidiaries of Ingress.

It said one of the project is the RM6.9 million proposed diversion of 132kV (1x150MVA) cable from Teluk Apau - Kuala Perlis via overhead line to PMU 275/132kV Perlis Power Station.

The second one is the supply, erection and commissioning of 240MVA 275/132kV auto transformer with associated ancillary equipment for PMU 275/132kV Bukit Raja GIS Extension worth RM17 million.

The last one is the proposed 275/132kV transmission line double circuit loop in/out into Shah Alam Seksyen 18 (from Connaught Bridge Power Station-Olak Lampit) and quadruple circuit for 275kV Shah Alam Seksyen 18-Lion; and 132kV Shah Alam Seksyen 18 - Shah Alam East-Proton worth RM38 million.

The projects have contract periods ranging from 13 months to 24 months and will commence in the second half of the current financial year ending January 31, 2010, it said.

-- BERNAMA

nazrey

June 30th, 2009, 07:32 PM

Bakun dam to be operational by end-2011
Published: 2009/07/01

THE Bakun hydroelectric dam project in Sarawak will be ready for electricity distribution by the end of 2011, deputy secretary-general of Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry Loo Took Gee said.

"The dam is currently under construction. By end-2011, all eight turbines that would generate 2,400 megawatts (MW) of electricity, will be installed and Bakun will be operational by then," she told reporters after opening ABB's executive forum in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Loo, who was representing the minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui, was commenting on the development of Bakun hydroelectric project in Sarawak.

Earlier this year, it was announced that the government has approved the proposal for Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) (5347) and Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) to jointly take over the operation of the Bakun dam project from Sarawak Hidro Sdn Bhd.
The takeover will be done through a leasing agreement and the joint partners will develop the transmission system from Sarawak to Peninsular Malaysia.

In the statement to Bursa Malaysia, TNB and SEB had said that construction of the Bakun plant was almost complete.

The plant was to export 1,600MW from Bakun to Peninsular Malaysia via a high-voltage direct current transmission system and the rest will be for Sarawak.

Bakun is now owned and developed by Sarawak Hidro, a fully-owned unit of the Minister of Finance Inc (MOF Inc). It will continue to develop it until full commissioning of the generating units.

A special purpose vehicle (SPV) will then be set up to take over the operation through a leasing agreement and other related commercial agreements for the sale of electricity to Peninsular Malaysia and Sarawak.

The SPV will be owned by Tenaga Nasional, SEB and the state of Sarawak, while MOF Inc will hold a golden share.

On the RM9 billion transmission cable and undersea cable project connecting the Bakun plant to Peninsular Malaysia, Loo said the government is still studying the proposal.

"We are still working on it. It is still on the drawing board," she said.

The cable project involves laying a 730km high-voltage direct current transmission line and a 670km undersea cable for the Bakun dam.

TNB was recently reported as planning to raise ringgit-denominated loans to finance the RM9 billion transmission line carrying electricity from Sawarak to Peninsular Malaysia.

nazrey

July 1st, 2009, 01:31 PM

Tenaga defers Prai plant amid weak demand
Written by Isabelle Francis
Wednesday, 01 July 2009 15:51

KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has deferred its RM400 million power plant in Prai, Penang as it seeks to match supply with the projected slowing demand over the next few years.

Its CEO Datuk Seri Che Kalib Mohamad Noh said on July 1 o far this year it saw a drop of 3.7% in power demand while there would be additional electricity supply with new plants coming on stream in six years.

“It (the deferment) is savings for us,” Che Kalib told reporters at the sidelines of Invest Malaysia 2009 in Kuala Lumpur. The Prai plant is one of the utility giant’s smaller plants with a power capacity of 220-megawatt.

TNB, with annual generation capacity of 11,942 megawatts, has predicted its excess capacity to drop to 25% by 2013 from more than 50%.

Che Kalib said there are signs of improving demand over last two months, driven by both households and industrial sectors.

TNB was recently reported as planning to raise ringgit-denominated loans to finance the RM9 billion-transmission line carrying electricity from the Bakun hydropower plant in Sawarak to Peninsular Malaysia.

nazrey

July 2nd, 2009, 05:09 AM

TNB allocates RM21.5mil to upgrade system
Thursday July 2, 2009
By SIMON KHOO

BENTONG: Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) has allocated RM21.5mil to upgrade its system to supply electricity in the district here.

The allocation would be used to replace exhausted and laying of new cables, said TNB vice-president (distribution) Azman Mohamad.

“Certain areas such as Simpang Pelangai and Mempaga are presently facing low voltage problems.

“Steps will be taken to reduce such problems,” he said during a community programme with state leaders and locals at the Sultan Ahmad Shah hall here recently.

Also present were Bilut assemblyman Datuk Hoh Khai Mun, Ketari assemblyman Datuk Dr Ng Keong Chye, assistant district officer Mohd Hafizi Ibrahim and Pahang TNB general manager Datuk Mohd Rumai Puteh Abdullah.

Meanwhile, Mohd Rumai said TNB would give emphasis in upgrading the system in Simpang Pelangai.

The area had been earmarked for two important projects - namely the public order training and development centre of the Royal Malaysian Police and an integrated chicken farming centre.

“We have received complaints of electricity interruption due to problems with cables and substations.

“Among the measures to be implemented are replacing faulty pillars, conduct periodical checks and appoint new contractors to replace faulty equiptments such as lighting poles,” he said.

Mohd Rumai said TNB would also appoint a contractor to carry out numbering of electricity poles in the area to facilitate public complaints in case of power disruptions.

Gemeti village security and development committee chairman Zulkifli Kilau said such programmes could help to foster closer rapport between TNB and the community.

nazrey

July 10th, 2009, 05:22 AM

TNB-hosted exhibition in KL next week
Friday July 10, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: With the increasing global interest in renewable energy, it is imperative for industry players to equip themselves with the necessary knowledge and skills to adopt the technology efficiently.

Asean Elenex 2009 (AE 2009) – the eighth power generation, transmission and electrical engineering exhibition – to be held from July 15-18, will provide insights into and analyses of renewable energy, technology and its potential in the region.

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) corporate affairs vice-president Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Majid said the exhibition would serve as an excellent platform for industry players to exchange ideas, experiences and knowledge to meet the energy needs of the country and the region.

“Asean is a high-profile growth area for the power industry and the exhibitions will provide an excellent opportunity for industry players to develop future businesses and strengthen business transactions,” he told a media briefing yesterday.

The TNB-hosted AE 2009 will run concurrently with the fifth biennial Asean Industrial Automation 2009 exhibition and conference organised by the Malaysian Exhibition Services Sdn Bhd.

Abdul Razak said over 500 world-class companies would present their latest cost-effective and energy-saving technologies and solutions for the electrical and power sector, providing a boost to the country’s energy development initiatives. — Bernama

nazrey

July 10th, 2009, 04:13 PM

TNB, SEB in pact to buy Sime Power Link
Published: 2009/07/10

TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) and Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) today signed a Share Sale Agreement with Sime Darby Energy Sdn Bhd (SDESB) in relation to their acquisition of 100 per cent interest in Sime Darby Power Link Sdn Bhd (SDPLSB).

In an announcement on Bursa Securities, TNB said the purchase consideration was RM15.6 million plus an adjustment amount to cater for additional cash advances made by SDESB to SDPLSB being payment for consultants before the completion of the deal.

SDPLSB is a special purpose vehicle established by SDESB to undertake the development and operation of transmission facilities to supply electricity from Sarawak to Sabah and Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.

TNB and SEB will each hold 50 per cent of the issued and fully paid-up capital of SDPLSB, while it is also intended that the Minister of Finance Incorporated participate in the equity of SDPLSB at the appropriate juncture.

TNB said the price was arrived at on a willing buyer – willing seller basis free from all encumbrances after taking into account certain costs incurred by SDPLSB to-date for undertaking the preliminary works and studies in respect of the project, including the Environmental Impact Assesment (EIA) for the undersea cable.

By acquiring SDPLSB, TNB and SEB will have a time factor advantage and facilitate a seamless transition for the on-going studies and regulatory approval processes initiated by SDPLSB some 12 months ago.

The acquisition of SDPLSB will allow TNB and SEB to gain access and leverage on the preliminary studies conducted on the project including the on-going EIA on the Indonesian territorial waters.

TNB said 77 per cent of the undersea HVDC transmission cable is expected to transverse across Indonesian territorial waters.
It will connect the Bakun Hydroelectric Plant in Sarawak and Bentong in Pahang. - Bernama

nazrey

July 15th, 2009, 09:00 PM

Demand for electricity picking up in industrial, consumer sectors: TNB
By Zaidi Isham Ismail
Published: 2009/07/16

DEMAND for electricity has been picking up over the past two months in the industrial and private consumer sectors, suggesting a slight uptick in the country's economic activities.

Tenaga Nasional Bhd's (TNB) (5347) senior vice-president for corporate affairs Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Majid said electricity demand nationwide surged to 14,029 megawatt (MW) last month, a record for the utility and the country.

The peak surpassed the previous milestone of 14,007MW recorded in May last year, said Abdul Razak at TNB's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday after launching the "Switch" mascot and a mandarin version website.

Switch is the national energy efficiency awareness campaign jointly organised by the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry and the Federation of Malaysian Consumer Associations with the support of TNB.
Its main objective is to encourage the public and industries to reduce energy consumption and save costs which includes choosing the right home appliance thar can cut cost up to 10 per cent.

TNB, Malaysia's largest electricity utility, signed a memorandum of understanding two months ago with Fomca and pledged to contribute RM1.5 million to the campaign as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts.

Abdul Razak said the practice of energy conservation will not only reduce the cost of living but also help preserve national fuel reserves and reduce TNB's dependence on fuel imports.

nazrey

July 20th, 2009, 09:07 AM

TNB chief hints at power tariff increase soon
By Zuraimi Abdullah
Published: 2009/07/20

Tenaga Nasional Bhd's (TNB) (5347) chief has suggested that an increase in power tariffs soon is inevitable because of the rising price of fuel, although the utility giant will accept any decision by the government to review the rates.

"The price of fuel is more expensive than early this year, although it is lower than in 2008," president and chief executive Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohd Noh said at TNB's family day in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday.

However, gas price in Malaysia is "much lower" than the actual world market price.

That's because natural gas prices sold to TNB and other power producers are subsidised by Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas). But the government is considering reducing or removing the perk as it moves gas prices to a market-based mechanism.

The current subsidised price is RM10.70/mmbtu. Globally, the natural gas trades at US$3.36/mmbtu (RM12/mmbtu), down from a three-year high of US$13.37/mmbtu (RM48/mmbtu) in July last year.
Power tariffs were last adjusted on March 1 this year, with the rates charged on household and industrial users being reduced by 3.5 per cent.

Some analysts expect the next review to be announced in September, which coincides with the start of TNB's financial year.

Che Khalib also said the multi-billion ringgit contract to lay undersea cable to bring power from the Bakun dam in Sarawak to Peninsular Malaysia will be awarded in mid-2010.

The tender itself will be opened early next year, he added.

"There won't be any direct negotiation. It will be an open tender. The (bidding and finalisation) process should take about six months.

"We expect to award the contract in the middle of next year," he said.

TNB is one of the three shareholders of a special-purpose vehicle to be set up to operate the Bakun dam based on a lease.

The estimated RM8 billion to RM10 billion, 675km-long submarine cable would link Sematan in southern Sarawak to Tanjung Leman, Johor.

nazrey

July 22nd, 2009, 11:14 AM

TNB shares rally, but higher CPI to come
Published: 2009/07/22

MALAYSIA’S government is considering proposals to hike natural gas prices in a semi-annual review that could see the cost of electricity rise by 4.9 per cent, a source told Reuters.

An announcement on the price hikes, which will take effect on Aug 1, could come after a cabinet meeting today.

Shares of Tenaga Nasional spiked higher on the news, gaining 2.38 per cent to RM8.60 by outpacing a gain of 1.70 per cent on the broader index. Tenaga is due to release third-quarter earnings later in the day.

The news came ahead of the release of June consumer price inflation data that is expected to show a decline of 1.35 per cent from a year ago, the first disinflation in Malaysia since August 1986.

ANALYST COMMENTS:

PATRICIA OH, TA Securities economist: “The housing, water, electricity and fuels component makes up 21.4 per cent of the CPI. With this 4.9 per cent hike in electricity tariffs, it will lead to an increase in this component by 0.82 per cent... or add 0.1 per cent to the overall index.”
“We expect this price hike to come in as early as August.
We are forecasting a contraction for that month and it will still contract moderately. Our inflation forecast for 2009 is 1 per cent.”

ONG CHEE TING, Analyst at Maybank: “The review affirms our view that the fuel tariff mechanism review is in place and it will assure Tenaga of a certain return on investment (in the future).”

PHILIP MCNICHOLAS of IdeaGlobal.com: “It would certainly cause an upward revision in inflation. The move would make sense given the upward movement of energy prices but it will not have too much impact on overall inflation this year. The housing, water, electricity and fuels component has been stable... but it will eat into consumer spending and that’s not good given the problems we already have with external demand with regards to the manufacturing sector.”
“The tariff hike would certainly impact businesses and it may prompt Bank Negara to cut interest rates in the coming months. At the moment we have forecast a 50 basis points reduction by year-end.” - Reuters

nazrey

July 22nd, 2009, 03:52 PM

TNB Q3 Net Profit Before Forex Translation At RM419.9 Mln
July 22, 2009 21:13 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) - Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) posted a net profit before foreign exchange (forex) translation gain of RM419.9 million in the third quarter ended May 31, 2009 compared with RM771.6 million in the second quarter.

"The lower profit resulted from the significant increase in units generated from coal generation," said its president/chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh, at a press conference here Wednesday.

Che Khalib said during the quarter, TNB faced several incidences of gas curtailment and had to increase output from coal-fired generation.

He said although the average contracted coal price was at US$79.9 per metric tonne (pmt) during the quarter, "coal is still the more expensive fuel compared to gas at the subsidised price of RM10.70 per million British thermal units (mmBtu).

The average coal price was at US$85.8 pmt in the second quarter.

He noted that the average contracted coal price for the nine-month period meanwhile was at US$94.3 pmt, "which is still higher than what we allowed to pass through under the fuel cost adjustment of US$85 pmt."

As a result, the group reported a 33.4 percent decline in net profit before forex translation gain of RM1.687 billion in the period compared with RM2.534 billion in the nine-month period of financial year 2008.

Revenue for the group rose 1.4 percent to RM7.001 billion for the three-month period due to downward tariff adjustment from March 1 this year.

However, TNB's net profit rose to RM1.023 billion mainly due to the forex translation gain of RM603.2 million.

Its net profit for the second quarter stood at RM674.6 million.

nazrey

July 22nd, 2009, 03:53 PM

No Reason For Tariff Revision Now, Says TNB
July 22, 2009 21:11 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) - There will be no revision in electricity tariff for now, says Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) president and chief executive officer, Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh.

"We never heard any revision by the government on gas price. As far as Tenaga is concerned, as long as the supplier of gas (Petronas) does not revise the price of gas, there should not be any reason why the tariff of electricity needs to be revised.

"As the government says no tariff increase, then there is no tariff increase," he said to reporters when asked on the possibility of a revision in electricity tariff with the price of gas gone up.

It was reported that the revision of rates will be discussed at the cabinet meeting today, and if approved, will take effect next month.

After the meeting Wednesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said no decision had been made and everything was to remain same.

TNB today announced its third quarter results which saw the group achieving a net profit of RM1.023 billion on the back of RM7.001 billion revenue.

The last tariff adjustment was made on March 1, this year.

nazrey

July 22nd, 2009, 08:19 PM

Tenaga Q3 net profit more than triples
Published: 2009/07/22

Malaysia’s largest power firm Tenaga Nasional reported a third-quarter net profit of RM1.02 billion (US$287.3 million), more than tripling from RM298.8 million gained a year ago.

Profits were boosted by a forex gain of RM603.2 million compared to losses of RM180.8 million a year ago, the company said in a statement today. -- Reuters

nazrey

August 19th, 2009, 03:19 PM

TNB Optimistic Of Positive Q4
August 19, 2009 20:55 PM

KUALA LUMPUR, August 19 (Bernama) -- Tenaga Nasional (TNB) expects profits for the fourth quarter ending August 31, 2009 to be positive as the demand for electricity has increased.

TNB President and Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said earnings would likely be higher compared with the last two quarters of the year.

"Demand for electricity for the last three months had gone beyond the corresponding period of last year," Che Khalib said after signing a memorandum of understanding with the Malaysian Hockey Federation to develop hockey in the country.

He said demand for electricity peaked to 14,245 megawatts this year from 14,000 megawatts in 2008.

" Average daily power consumption has also increased," he said, adding that the bottom line may, however, be affected by exchange rate losses with the strengthening of the US dollar and yen.

Che Khalib said although TNB's cash flow was intact, exchange rates losses were expected to impact bottom line.

On the prospects for the financial year ending August 31, 2009, he said TNB's results would likely be lower than in the previous financial period.

nazrey

August 30th, 2009, 11:37 PM

TNB lining up key jobs for hydropower plants
By Zuraimi Abdullah Published: 2009/08/31

National utility firm Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) (5347) plans to award key contracts to build two hydroelectric plants in Hulu Terengganu and Ulu Jelai in Pahang by the middle of next year, its top executive said.

TNB president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamed Noh said the tender for the major civil work and mechanical and electrical (M&E) contracts will close by early next year. Bids are expected from consortiums of local and foreign companies.

TNB has already awarded a smaller contract to do preliminary works related to land clearing and road building for the Hulu Terenganu plant to Ahmad Zaki Resources Bhd.

The contract for a similar job at the Ulu Jelai plant is being finalised with a Pahang-based company, Che Khalib said in an interview in Kuala Lumpur.

The two projects are scheduled to be completed by 2014.
The cost to develop each plant may be more than RM1 billion, Che Khalib said.

The Ulu Jelai plant will generate 372 megawatts (MW) of electricity, while that in Hulu Terengganu, located north of the Kenyir Dam in Kuala Berang, will provide another 212MW.

TNB is looking more towards hydroelectricity and other affordable energy sources given the rising prices of gas and coal.

Gas and coal currently account for some 95 per cent of the utility's requirements to fire its power plants.

The country already has several hydroelectric dams, including in Cameron Highlands in Pahang, Temenggor in Perak and Kenyir in Terengganu.

Currently, hydroelectric plants in Peninsular Malaysia produce some 1,911MW, TNB said on its website. This accounts for some 5 per cent of the industry's total generation capacity. The bulk of hydroelectric-generation capacity comes from stations in Sungai Perak as well as the Kenyir station.

Dr Jake

August 31st, 2009, 05:58 AM

^^^^ They still use coal for generating electricity. Kotor kot!!

It's time for nuclear power y'all. It's clean and cheap. Japan, South Korea and France could give Malaysia a helping hand.

nazrey

August 31st, 2009, 08:35 PM

TNB pushes for use of nuclear energy
By Zuraimi Abdullah
Published: 2009/09/01

MALAYSIA will have its maiden nuclear power plant 15 years from the day it starts working on the project, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) (5347) president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamed Noh said.

The national electric utility is pushing for the use of nuclear energy to head off a power crunch expected in the future, and has asked for a decision from the government around 2013.

Che Khalib, however, stressed that TNB would not simply "jump into developing a nuclear power plant" as an easy way out to meet future energy demand.

It would do so only when the country's main fuel energy sources are exhausted.
Such requirement appears imminent as our gas reserve is depleting fast, while coal - an imported energy source - is getting scarce, making it more costly to buy.

"We are not sure whether 20 years from now Petronas (Petroliam Nasional Bhd) will be able to continue to supply gas to us," Che Khalib said in an interview in Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with TNB's 60th anniversary, which falls today.

At present, TNB's power generation is a mix of about 60 per cent gas, more than 30 per cent coal and about 10 per cent hydro.

Che Khalib said the long planning for a nuclear plant is inevitable as it involves lengthy public relations (PR) campaign, site identification, international approval and construction of the plant itself.

"This is similarly experienced in South Korea (when it started its first nuclear programme years ago).

"It should take about two to three years to identify the site and to do a PR exercise to convince the public that a nuclear plant is safe and more cost-savings and efficient.

"After that, we need another two or three years to get approval from the international nuclear agency. The agency will do an audit to ensure that our nuclear development programme is not abused for other purposes than to generate energy.

"Lastly, the construction of the plant itself will take about seven to eight years. If we are to build any subsequent units after that, the development time will then be shorter," he explained.

Another prerequisite for nuclear development to succeed is having qualified personnel.

Che Khalib does not think that Malaysians are incapable of handling their own nuclear plant.

"The nuclear subject is not new to us. The country has been sending people overseas to study various aspects of nuclear for the past 30 years. It's just that we have not had a nuclear plant. (But) we have capable individuals," he said.

nazrey

September 4th, 2009, 08:48 AM

Tenaga, others to issue RM10b bonds
Friday September 04 2009

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 4 — The consortium building a submarine transmission line in Sarawak in Borneo will issue the first tranche of a RM10 billion bonds programme next year, a member of the consortium said today.

“I can confirm that Tenaga and the consortium members will raise about 10 billion ringgit,” said Che Khalib Mohamad Noh, chief executive officer of Tenaga Nasional, Malaysia’s biggest power producer and consortium member.

Top deal maker CIMB is the lead arranger of the bond issue, he told Reuters.

The cable project involves laying a 730km high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line and a 670km undersea cable for the 2,400-megawatt Bakun hydroelectric dam.

Che Khalib told Reuters in an interview in April that financing for the project will be spread out because the dam will be built over seven years.

Other members of the consortium are Sarawak Energy Bhd and the Ministry of Finance. — Reuters

nazrey

September 8th, 2009, 12:27 AM

nazrey

September 8th, 2009, 12:29 AM

Recycle Energy may need 5 more years to break even
By Zuraimi Abdullah Published: 2009/09/08

MMC Corp Bhd's subsidiary Recycle Energy Sdn Bhd says it may need another five years to recoup its nearly RM200 million investment on a renewable energy, waste processing and recycling facility in Semenyih.

Recycle Energy chief executive officer Khalid Bahsoon said RM190 million has been spent so far on the facility since it started operation in 2005.

"We need about nine years to break even," Khalid said after the visit of Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui to the facility yesterday.

Recycle Energy now derives its income by producing and selling renewable energy sources and recyclables, besides payment of RM46 for every one tonne of solid waste sent by municipalities to the facility.

At present, it can generate eight megawatts (MW) per hour from some 700 tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) it processes a day from the Kajang Municipality and neighbouring areas.

Khalid said Recycle Energy is paid 21 sen per kilowatt per hour (KW/hr) by Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) for the supply of 5MW of electricity to the national grid starting August.

A 21-year renewable energy power purchase agreement (PPA) was signed with TNB last month, he added.

The balance of 3MW generated by the facility is being used in-house to power all the facility's plant's utilities including the recycling and processing plant.

"We used to generate half of our income from selling recyclables such as resin to the market. Now with the PPA signed, we will get more from TNB," Khalid said.

The company is seeking a raise in the renewable energy tariff to 50 sen per KW/hr to sustain its waste management venture.

Recycle Energy is the first in the country to operate such facility.

MMC owns about 60 per cent of Recycle Energy, while the remaining 40 per cent is owned by Core Competencies Sdn Bhd.

The latter was the one that developed the technology to create renewable energy source from MSW.

Recycle Energy officials said apart from reducing dependence on fossil fuels, the technology also helps cut the need to use landfills to dump the waste.

This in turn, reduces the amount of the greenhouse gases such as methane from being released into the environment.

It also prevents the high level of lechate found in our MSW from seeping into rivers.

nazrey

September 8th, 2009, 03:27 AM

Malaysia to review renewable energy tariff rates
Published: 2009/09/08

THE government plans to review renewable energy tariff rates from the current 21 sen per kilowatt hour, said Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui.

He said the government will ensure the rates are justified.

"It will consider whether the price is practical for the whole country, fair to Tenaga Nasional to buy and what can the government contribute in terms of tax.

"We will study on implementing a new tariff that will encourage companies to participate in this sector," he said after visiting Recycle Energy Sdn Bhd plant in Semenyih, Selangor, yesterday.

Recycle Energy Sdn Bhd is a subsidiary of MMC Bhd that began pioneering the use of green technology to generate energy from its resource recovery centre and waste to energy plant.

He said this will help government's effort to promote renewable energy as one of the energy resources in the country in view of the high cost of renewable technology.

"By 2015, we hope to generate 6 per cent or 1,000 mega watts of renewable energy from only 0.91 per cent or 14.5 mega watt currently," he said, adding that the government will look into this matter seriously as the development of the sector is in line with its policy on Green Technology.

Chin also said that the government will review electricity tariff by year-end.

He said the rates will be reviewed every six months to ensure the tariff is in line with the price of gas and coal in the international market.

"When I say review it does not mean the price will increase, it may be maintained or reduced," he said, adding that the current fuel price movements will be monitored.

On nuclear energy, Chin said the draft of the policy and guidelines to include nuclear energy as an option for power supply is expected to be ready early next year.

On another matter, Chin said there will be one or two more meetings to resolve the Selangor water concession issue before it could be finalised.

"Last week, they (Puncak Niaga Holdings Bhd and Selangor Government) had a meeting but did not conclude anything. Overall, I'm happy that Selangor is willing to work closely with the federal government for the benefit of the people," he added. - Bernama

Enam peratus tenaga diperbaharui 2015
8 September 2009 / 18 Ramadan 1430

http://www.utusan.com.my/pix/2009/0908/Utusan_Malaysia/Ekonomi/ek_02.1.jpg

Khalid Bahsoon (kiri) menjelaskan mengenai pengurusan sisa pepejal di loji
Recycle Energy Sdn. Bhd. kepada Peter Chin Fah Kui di Semenyih, semalam.

SEMENYIH 7 Sept. - Kementerian Tenaga, Teknologi Hijau dan Air (KeTTHA) menyasarkan sekurang-kurangnya enam peratus daripada tenaga elektrik yang dijana akan diperoleh melalui tenaga diperbaharui menjelang 2015.

Pada waktu itu, penjanaan tenaga elektrik terkumpul yang disasarkan adalah sebanyak 1,000 megawatt (MW).

Menteri Tenaga, Teknologi Hijau dan Air, Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui berkata, setakat ini, hanya sebuah loji penjanaan tenaga diperbaharui yang diusahakan oleh syarikat pengurusan sisa pepejal, Recycle Energy Sdn. Bhd. (RESB) berupaya menjana tenaga elektrik di negara ini.

Menurutnya, RESB juga merupakan satu-satunya syarikat kitar semula sisa pepejal dalam negara yang mempunyai proses penjanaan tenaga tersebut.

Beliau memberitahu, loji berkenaan hanya mampu menghasilkan 8 MW elektrik sejam dan ia boleh ditingkatkan pada masa akan datang bagi memenuhi keperluan tenaga elektrik dalam negara.

''Ia merupakan permulaan yang baik yang dimulakan oleh syarikat swasta sebagai salah satu penyelesaian kepada kekurangan sumber tenaga di negara ini.

''Setakat ini, sumber-sumber tenaga biomass yang menjana tenaga elektrik termasuk kelapa sawit menyumbang sebanyak 40.5 MW kepada tenaga elektrik negara,'' katanya selepas mengadakan lawatan kilang RESB di sini hari ini.

Hadir sama ialah Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif RESB, Khalid Bahsoon.

Kos pembinaan loji tenaga diperbaharui berkenaan adalah kira-kira RM190 juta manakala kos operasinya pula sebanyak RM2 juta sebulan.

Bermula Ogos lalu, syarikat melalui Perjanjian Pembelian Tenaga Diperbaharui dengan Tenaga Nasional Bhd. (TNB) akan membekalkan tenaga elektrik sebanyak 5 MW sejam kepada TNB.

Sekarang, RESB mampu menjana tenaga elektrik 8 MW sejam daripada 700 tan sisa pepejal perbandaran (MSW) sehari.

Sebanyak 3 MW daripada 8 MW digunakan untuk kegunaan operasi dalaman syarikat.

Sumber sisa pepejal tersebut diperoleh daripada Majlis Perbandaran Kajang (MPKj) dan seluruh penduduk sekitar seperti Semenyih dan beberapa tempat lain.

Dalam perkembangan lain, ketika ditanya mengenai Bajet 2010 yang akan dibentangkan, Fah Kui berkata, pihaknya sudah menghantar cadangan kementerian itu kepada Kementerian Kewangan.

Katanya, pihaknya berharap Kementerian Kewangan dapat menimbangkan keperluan KeTTHA dengan sebaiknya.

''Kami memerlukan bantuan, galakkan, modal dan pelbagai kaedah yang boleh digunakan untuk membangunkan kementerian,'' ujarnya.

Mengenai tarif elektrik yang akan dinilai akhir tahun ini, beliau berkata, penilaian berkenaan bukan bererti ia melibatkan kenaikan tarif semata-mata, sebaliknya tarif tersebut mungkin dikekalkan atau pun dikurangkan.

nazrey

October 4th, 2009, 08:57 PM

TNB in wind-powered IPP deal with Argentine firm
By Zaidi Isham Ism ail Published: 2009/10/05

TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) (5347) and Argentina's giant energy firm Impsa have forged an alliance here to create an independent power producer (IPP) run by wind generated turbines.

Impsa, which has a workforce of over 7,000 people worldwide, is currently in the process of building the world's largest wind turbine farm in Argentina.

An official from the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry said the new IPP is formed to reduce TNB's high dependency on depleting fossil fuels as well as cut cost in capacity payments to the country's more than 20 IPPs.

The official said both TNB and Impsa have signed a memorandum of understanding two to three weeks ago to see the viability of the project for the next one year.
"Both parties have to see first whether Malaysia has enough wind to turn the fan blades of the wind turbines at selected locations with maximum wind tower height of 100m.

"Should there be enough wind, then the government after a year from now may consider taking up wind-powered electricity generation as one of the many sources of renewable energy, which include solar, biomass and hydro," the source told Business Times.

Meanwhile, an official from Impsa said the IPP will be a 50:50 joint venture and should the project take off, both parties will cooperate to build several wind farms at selected locations across the country and the power generated will be connected to the National Grid.

He said the wind farm must be in windy areas with minimum wind speed of 7m per second and areas include Mersing in Johor, Kuala Terengganu in Terengganu, Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Pulau Langkawi and all along the Malaysia-Thailand border.

Except for the areas above, Malaysia has an average wind speed of two metres per second compared to Vietnam which has a wind speed of 16m per second.

Early this week, Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui said the ministry is conducting several trials at several windy areas in Malaysia to study the viability of the energy source before making a decision.

Impsa's chief operating officer Lucas Pescarmona said it cost between US$1.8 million (RM6.25 million) and US$2.5 million (RM8.68 million) to generate between 1 megawatt (MW) and 2.5 MW of wind power.

TNB currently pays IPPs at an average rate of 25 sen per kilowatt/hour compared to its cost of 17 sen per kilowatt/hour.

nazrey

October 7th, 2009, 03:03 PM

TNB, Pesaka sign power purchase deal
Published: 2009/10/07

TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) has signed a renewable energy power purchase agreement with Pesaka Technologies Sdn Bhd for about RM14.89 million per year.

In a filing to Bursa Malaysia, TNB said the agreement involved the purchase of electricity generated by a small renewable energy (RE) power project developed by Pesaka under the Small Renewable Energy Power (SREP) programme.

The SREP programme was launched by the government in May 2001 to promote the use of renewable energy in power generation and to reduce emission of greenhouse gases.

TNB has agreed to buy the electricity for 21 years, it said.

The RE power plant developed by Pesaka, which uses run-of-river type of mini hydro scheme, will be located in Sg Brooke, Kelantan. It will sell 10 megawatts to TNB.

Bernama

nazrey

October 8th, 2009, 07:42 PM

TNB-Pesaka Tech deal
Published: 2009/10/08

TENAGA Nasional Bhd will buy power worth some RM15 million a year from Pesaka Technologies Sdn Bhd’s renewable energy plant for 21 years.

The plant utilises run-of-river type of mini hydro scheme. It will be located in Sg Brooke, Kelantan, and will have an export capacity of 10 megawatts (MW) to TNB.

So far, TNB has signed renewable energy power purchase agreements for a total of 64.55MW.

nazrey

October 9th, 2009, 05:13 AM

TNB connection for hilly areas next year
Friday October 9, 2009

RESIDENTS of Bukit Batu Hitam, Bukit Pulau Betong and Bukit Cengkih in Balik Pulau, Penang, will soon have power supply connected to their homes.

Pulau Betong assemblyman Muhamad Farid Saad said resi-dents on these hilly areas had been getting electricity from their own generators for about 60 years.

“The residents and I have applied for electricity supply from the Federal Government and the application has been approved.

“Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) will start surveying the area im-mediately,” he said before visiting some of the houses on Wednes-day.

Muhamad Farid expected the power supply to be connected by next year.

“The project will cost RM1,809,433. I hope the residents can have electrical supply by National Day next year,” he said.

He said 47 houses were involved with 28 in Bukit Batu Hitam, 13 in Bukit Pulau Betong and six in Bukit Cengkih.

Muhamad Farid said that once the project was completed, the whole of Balik Pulau would have electrical supply.

A Tenaga officer said the project involved the building of transformers and substations.

Goh Beng Hock, 47, from Bukit Batu Hitam, said his family moved to the area in the 1970s.

“We don’t use the generator during the day as it’s bright enough but we switch on the generator for a few hours at night.

“My family also doesn’t use a fridge because the generator is small and its power supply is sufficient only for about 10 light bulbs or fluorescent lights.

“Even our television is just a 16-inch one,” the wireman said.

Goh said his family spent about RM100 monthly on petrol for the generator.

Canteen operator Chin Seak Min, 46, said the first thing his family would buy when they receive electricity supply from Tenaga was a refrigerator.

nazrey

October 9th, 2009, 08:21 AM

PROJECT TO OVERCOME ELECTRICITY SHORTAGE OPERATIONAL BY 2010
9th October, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: The problem of Sabah’s electricity supply shortage will be overcome when the Powertron 2 electricity generation project becomes operational from January next year, the president and chief executive officer of Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said yesterday.

He said the project, due for completion in June last year, was delayed by more than 12 months due to a court injunction by a land owner.

“If the project had been completed in June as scheduled, I feel the problem of the power supply shortage in Sabah would have been overcome. But the project was delayed.

“It will now, only be ready in January next year, with an operational capacity of 65 megawatts and be fully completed by October,” he said during the Program Dialog over TV1 on Wednesday night.

The Powertron 2 project by Ranhill at Kota Kinabalu can generate 190 megawatts of electricity.

Che Khalib made the remarks while explaining TNB’s action to overcome the electricity supply shortage in Sabah.

He also said the government viewed the problem seriously and had decided that a taskforce be formed to overcome the electricity supply shortage.

“We had indicated to the government that a taskforce was needed to overcome the problem as soon as possible.We therefore feel that the taskforce, which will meet in three months time, will be able to help resolve the problem,” he added.

The taskforce will comprise TNB, the Sabah Electric Sdn Bhd (SESB) as well as ministries such as the Ministry of Energy, Green technology and Water, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Rural Regional Development.

He said for the moment, the government will constantly review developments in Sabah and discuss it at the Cabinet meetings every month.

For the short term, TNB has ordered 60 units of mobile generators which can generate one megawatt of electricity. Twenty sets will be placed on Sabah’s west coast.

“A total of 40 units will be located to Sabah’s east coast, with 20 each in Tawau and Sandakan,” he said.

nazrey

October 11th, 2009, 03:28 PM

TNB Plans To Build Two Dams In Terengganu And Pahang
October 11, 2009 19:07 PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is planning to build two new hydro-electric dams, namely in Hulu Terengganu and Hulu Jelai in Pahang.

Its vice-president (Human Resources), Muhammad Razif Abdul Rahman, said the proposed dam in Hulu Terengganu would be built in Sungai Tembat and Sungai Puah with a 250-megawatt (MW) capacity, while the one in Hulu Jelai would be built with a capacity of 372 MW.

While saying that it was too early to announce the estimated cost and width of the dams, Muhammad Razif, however, said that the projects would begin soon.

"Both dams will be built simultaneously and are expected to be ready by 2014," he told reporters at the Terengganu-level TNB Aidilfitri celebration, here Sunday.

He said, once completed, the dam in Hulu Terengganu would be the third in the state, after that of the Sultan Ismail Power Station in Paka and the Sultan Mahmud Power Station in Tasik Kenyir.

"The demand for power supply is not so high in Terengganu, probably just around 300 MW. We already have a power station in Paka, which has the capacity to generate 1,200 MW electricity, and another one in Tasik Kenyir with a capacity of 400 MW.

"We are connecting the two power stations to the national grid to ensure continuous supply of electricity nationwide," he said.

Muhammad Razif said the TNB had received the approval from the Terengganu Forestry Department to start the forest clearing work.

He also reiterated that the construction of the dams was vital to achieve the government's aspiration to diversify the sources of energy in the country.

nazrey

October 12th, 2009, 07:28 PM

State Govt wants TNB briefing on coal-fired plant
Published on: Saturday, October 10, 2009

Kota Kinabalu: The State Government hopes to have a meeting with Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) soon to discuss the proposed coal-fired power plant in Felda Sahabat, Lahad Datu.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Joseph Pairin Kitingan said the meeting was important as the State Government needs to be briefed on the TNB's effort, especially with the critical power supply situation in the East Coast.

"We are now in a dilemma, more so that the East Coast needs at least 300 megawatt of electricity," said Pairin who is also Infrastructure Development Minister.

He hoped TNB and his Ministry would be able to meet soon so that more details could be obtained on the proposed construction of the coal-fired power plant at Dent Peninsula.

Met at the Hari Raya Open House hosted by his Ministry in Sembulan near here, Friday, Pairin said the coal-fired power plant had been listed as among the alternatives by the Government in order to boost power supply capacity in the State.

He said the earlier proposals to build the coal-fired power plant in Silam, Lahad Datu and then in Sungai Seguntor, Sandakan had received objections from the public and NGOs due to environmental concern.

According to him, such kind of developments would always face challenges and due to the objections the project was again moved to Felda Sahabat area in Lahad Datu as announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

He said shifting the project to Felda Sahabat was probably due to the size of the area, which makes it easier to monitor.

Nonetheless, Pairin said it was also imperative for the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to be fully complied.

Although there are still no details on how big is the area to be used up for the project, he said it must be able to accommodate a 300MW power plant.

He added that the Chief Minister had also stated that the completion of the power station in Kimanis would help stabilise power supply in the State.

"Our state is developing rapidly and coupled with the increasing population, we need to have more power," he said, adding that in the East Coast context, a stable power supply was needed due to the anticipated growth, particularly with the development of the Palm Oil Industrial Cluster (POIC) there.

"So everything has to be taken into consideration," he said.

Meanwhile, Public Works Department (PWD) Director, John Anthony, said a total of RM600 million is needed to repair about 400 damages caused by landslides in Sabah.

So far, under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP), the PWD managed to repair between 38 to 40 damages and the rest of the fund would be sought in the 10MP.

nazrey

October 12th, 2009, 09:16 PM

TNB: Give incentives torenewable energy firms
By Zaidi Isham Ismail
Published: 2009/10/13

TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) (5347)hopes the government under Budget 2010 will offer incentives to renewable energy companies to attract more investments and grow the industry.

TNB president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad said renewable energy firms should be given incentives to ensure the power sector's long-term sustainability.

"Renewable energy can be the next power of the future and the world's power industry, including TNB, cannot forever rely on depleting fossil fuels.

"Fuel prices are also unpredictable, going up to over US$60 (RM205) per barrel from US$40 (RM136).
"Renewable energy is more sustainable," Che Khalib told reporters at the company's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday after its Hari Raya open house.

A TNB official said renewable energy projects are expensive and companies take a long time to recoup their investments.

"Financing is also difficult to get as banks are reluctant to give out loans to a relatively new industry," the official said.

So far, industry regulator the Energy Commission has issued 31 licenses to renewable energy projects, of which seven have signed their respective agreements with TNB.

Renewable energy includes electricity derived from solar, hydro and biomass, among others. TNB will sign long-term deals to buy power from companies willing to invest in these plants.

On the power tariff review which is due by December, Che Khalib said as usual the matter will be decided by the government.

"The government must start reviewing the cost structure and gradually do away with subsidies because there will come a time when the government can no longer afford the subsidies.

"The government must allow tariff to be reviewed accordingly with international gas prices because the subsidy amount is too big."

Che Khalib, however, said any changes in tariff rates and subsidies must be carried out gradually and over a period of time so that the public will not be burdened.

nazrey

October 21st, 2009, 04:07 PM

TNB signs pact to buy power from Sediaplas
Published: 2009/10/21

TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) has signed a 21-year deal to buy electricity from a small renewable plant owned by Sediaplas Sdn Bhd. It would spend about RM18.4 million a year to buy power from the 10 megawatts plant, which runs on methane gas from tapioca.

It is located in Rompin, Pahang, TNB said in a statement. So far, TNB has agreed to buy 74.5MW under the Small Renewable Energy Power Programme launched by the government in May 2001.

nazrey

October 24th, 2009, 09:59 AM

TNB’s joint venture operational by 2015
Saturday October 24, 2009
By LEE KIAN SEONG

KUALA LUMPUR: The Sumatera-Peninsular Electrical Power Interconnection Project, which is jointly developed by Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and PT PLN (Persero) of Indonesia, is scheduled to be operational by 2015.

The electrical interconnection project, which will have a capacity of 600 megawatts, will comprise 200km of 250kV overhead High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) double circuit and two 57km of 250kV HVDC submarine cables.

PLN is the state body responsible for all matters related to electricity supply in Indonesia.

TNB chairman Tan Sri Leo Moggie said the project was a step towards further enhancing the close relationship between the two countries’ power utilities.

“It is also an avenue that will bring us closer towards realising the aspiration of developing a fully integrated Asean Interconnected Transmission Grid, or the so-called ‘power highway’, among the Asean countries,” he said at the heads of agreement signing ceremony between TNB and PLN yesterday.

He said the technical and commercial studies jointly carried out by TNB and PLN confirmed the technical feasibility and economic viability of the project and the benefits it would bring to both countries.

“Major benefits of this interconnection project include the reduction in joint production and operating costs and the sharing of spinning (power) reserves and mitigation of demand-supply imbalance,” Moggie said.

He said the agreement, the penultimate step before an actual implementation contract, would focus and finalise the details of implementation through three main working groups.

“The working groups are expected to come up with their recommendations within six months of signing this agreement,” he said.

Meanwhile, Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui said the ministry viewed the interconnection project as one of the positive moves towards managing those issues through sharing of resources and expertise.

“Globally, matters related to energy and environment are becoming more prominent and have taken centrestage,” he said.

Chin said the issues being debated included an increase in fossil fuel prices and its depleting resources, environmental pollution, global warming, energy security and sustainability.

nazrey

October 26th, 2009, 01:35 PM

Tenaga makes RM133m profit in Q4
Published: 2009/10/26

Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Malaysia’s largest electricity provider, posted a profit of RM133.4 million in the fiscal fourth quarter compared with a loss of RM281.3 million a year earlier.

Sales climbed to RM7.46 billion from RM6.74 billion, the company said in a statement today. -- Bloomberg

nazrey

October 26th, 2009, 08:45 PM

TNB says power demand to grow in 2010
Published: 2009/10/26

http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/images/stories/logomix/tnblogo2.jpg

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 26 — Malaysia’s biggest power producer Tenaga Nasional said it expected power usage to grow as it reported a return to net profit in the fourth quarter of a year that gave the company a huge loss.

State-owned Tenaga, which has a market value of US$11 billion (RM billion), posted a net profit of RM64.3 million for June to August period, compared with a loss of RM282.9 million a year ago.

However, full-year net profit fell 65 percent year-on-year to RM917.9 million, which was far below the RM2.2 billion estimate of 18 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Tenaga said its profit was mostly hit by forex translation losses of 1.2 billion ringgit for the year due to a weaker Malaysian currency against the U.S. dollar and Japanese yen.

“We have had to manage the combination of negative electricity demand growth, higher average coal prices, additional capacity payments and forex exposure,” Tenaga Chairman Leo Moggie said.

The company said that while electricity contracted 2.6 per cent for the full year, it grew 0.6 per cent in the fourth quarter and would continue to expand.

“Demand for electricity will be positive in 2010 in the region of 3 per cent,” said Che Khalib Mohamad Noh, Tenaga’s chief executive officer.

Che Khalib said the Bakun hydroelectric dam, in Sarawak, Borneo, was expected to be operational by 2011, at the latest.

Tenaga is part of a Malaysian consortium building a submarine transmission line for the 2,400-megawatt dam.

Tenaga shares closed up 0.2 percent at RM8.48 today, and have gained 35 per cent this year, lagging the broader market’s 44 per cent rise. — Reuters

nazrey

October 28th, 2009, 08:51 PM

TNB Remaco confident of RM400m revenue
By Kamarul Yunus Published: 2009/10/29

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/remaco-2/pix_topright

TNB Repair and Maintenance Sdn Bhd (TNB Remaco), a unit of Tenaga Nasional Bhd, expects to chalk up revenue of up to RM400 million for its current financial year ending August 31 2010.

Tenaga Nasional president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said he is confident of achieving the target, as Remaco has been able to raise its revenue significantly since the company started its repair centre in Klang, Selangor, some three years ago.

"When we started (the repair centre) about three or four years ago, Remaco was doing RM60 million in revenue. For the (2008/2009) financial year just ended, the figure tripled to RM200 million. This financial year, we are targeting a revenue of between RM300 million and RM400 million," he told reporters after the signing of maintenance service agreement between three companies, namely TNB Remaco, Petronas Gas Bhd (PGB) and GE Energy in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

In its aspiration to become a regional repair hub, Che Khalib said TNB Remaco has started exploring the repair and maintenance services markets in Indonesia and Brunei.

He said the company has secured contracts to service power plants in Myanmar and Saudi Arabia.

"Recently, we secured a deal for operation and maintenance of two power plants in Pakistan for over a five-year period. The deal is valued at US$126 million (RM430 million)," he said.

Che Khalib said the company is also looking for opportunities from the local market, namely in the oil and gas sector as well as the independent power producers.

On the maintenance service agreement with PGB, Che Khalid said TNB Remaco and its technical partner, GE Energy will provide a long-term maintenance services to PGB's centralised utility facilities at Kerteh in Terengganu and Gebeng in Pahang.

Under this service agreement, he said TNB Remaco will provide new and refurbished gas turbine parts and supply manpower to perform planned and unplanned inspections to the Frame6 gas turbines at both facilities.

nazrey

October 29th, 2009, 06:52 AM

TNB unit wins RM1bil PetGas job
Thursday October 29, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: TNB Repair and Maintenance Sdn Bhd (TNB Remaco), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), has been awarded a RM1.17bil contract by Petronas Gas Bhd (PetGas).

The contract is for the maintenance of nine gas turbines generators and their auxilliary systems. The units are at PetGas’ centralised utility facility in Kertih and Gebeng.

The eight-year contract covers the supply of spare parts, manpower for inspection of the turbines and the repair of its components.

“This is the second project undertaken by TNB Remaco for PetGas, the first being the project management consultancy for PGB-Yayasan Sabah for the development of its 300MW power plant at Kimanis, Sabah,” TNB chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said during the contract signing between TNB Remaco, PetGas and GE Energy Services.

At a briefing later, Che Khalib said TNB Remaco was expected to generate a turnover of RM300mil to RM400mil for the financial year 2010 compared with RM200mil in 2009.

He said the higher turnover would be achieved with its capabilities to provide repair and maintenance services to power plants in Malaysia and overseas. — Bernama

nazrey

October 29th, 2009, 09:37 AM

TNB Remaco awarded RM117 mln contract
2009/10/29

KUALA LUMPUR: TNB Repair and Maintenance Sdn Bhd (TNB Remaco), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB), was awarded a RM117 million contract by Petronas Gas Bhd (PGB) for the maintenance of nine gas turbines generators and their auxilliary systems.

The units are at PGB's centralised utility facility (CUF) in Kertih, Trengganu and Gebeng, Pahang.

The eight-year contract covers the supply of spare parts, manpower for inspection of the turbines and the repair of their components.

"This is the second project undertaken by TNB Remaco for PGB, the first being the project management consultancy to PGB-Yayasan Sabah for the development of their 300MW power plant at Kimanis, Sabah," TNB president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said during the contract signing between TNB Remaco, PGB and GE Energy Services Wednesday.

The contract will see TNB Remaco perform the maintenance work at both CUF until 2017, maximising local content in executing the scope of the contract.

In the meantime, repairs of the gas turbine component will be carried out at its repair centre in Klang, Selangor.

TNB said the contract requires TNB Remaco to complete a total of nine major overhauls and nine hot-gas path inspection of the turbines, which had been manufactured and supplied by GE Energy Services.

TNB Remaco will also receive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) support from GE via a contract with GE which will supply parts and provide services including technical advisory and training as well as maintenance of the nine turbine units.

At a press conference later, Che Khalib said TNB Remaco is expected to generate a turnover of between RM300-RM400 million for the financial year 2010 from RM200 million reported in 2009 with its capabilities to provide repair and maintenance services for power plants in Malaysia and overseas.
"This is our opportunity to have a home-grown repair centre," he said, adding that the centre in Klang was set up two years ago with investment of RM30 million.

TNB Remaco is capable of providing services such as maintenance field services, repair and refurbishment, electrical/mechanical tests and diagnostics, O&M (operations and maintenance) services and project management consultancy.

Che Khalib said the company is eyeing more international markets such as Indonesia and Brunei after having clinched two projects from Pakistan worth US$126 million over a period of five years.
The company also provides its services to Myanmar and Syuaiba in Saudi Arabia. -- BERNAMA

nazrey

November 10th, 2009, 02:41 PM

TNB training personnel in nuclear technology
Published: 2009/11/10

TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) is training its personnel in nuclear technology by sending them to do masters and doctor of philosophy degrees to build its capacity in the technology.

“We are training our people. We are sending them to do Masters and PhDs in South Korea, Japan and the US,” said president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh.

He said the three countries have different sets of nuclear technology programmes.

“The first phase is to have capacity-building by training our people,” he told reporters at TNB's Deepavali open house in Kuala Lumpur today.

TNB, Che khalib said, had also signed a 12-month collaboration agreement with its South Korean counterpart, Korea Electric Power Corp (KEPCO), to learn more about nuclear energy.

“South Korea is exposing our people to nuclear technology,” he said.

Che Khalib said TNB will support the government’s initiatives in exploring the country's prospect of entering into nuclear technology ventures.

“I think the government has said many times it will look into nuclear energy when all other resources have been exhausted.

" So, I think we are on the right direction,” he added.

BERNAMA

nazrey

November 20th, 2009, 11:41 PM

Tenaga gets court nod to upgrade cables in Rawang
Written by Bernama Friday, 20 November 2009 16:48

PUTRAJAYA: TENAGA NASIONAL BHD [] has received the go-ahead from the the court to upgrade the high-voltage cables of a 275kV transmission line in Rawang, which is crucial to increase the power supply to the Klang Valley.

The Federal Court today allowed Tenaga's appeal to lift an injunction obtained by 23 villagers in Kampung Sungai Terentang, Rawang, to halt work on the transmission line running through their village.

Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjum and Federal Court judge Datuk Seri S Augustine Paul allowed Tenaga's appeal in a two-to-one majority decision, with Datuk James Foong dissenting.

Paul, in his judgment, said Tenaga had the right to upgrade the 33kV transmission line to 275 kV under Section 13 of the Electricity Supply Act 1990 to increase the power supply.

He said Tenaga's upgrading was clearly an improvement by the replacement of components and upgrading the electricity cables. — Bernama

nazrey

November 30th, 2009, 08:29 AM

Bida projek Arab Saudi RM6.7b
Oleh AINUL ASNIERA AHSAN 30 November 2009
http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2009&dt=1130&pub=Utusan_Malaysia&sec=Korporat&pg=ko_01.htm

KUALA LUMPUR 29 Nov. – Syarikat utiliti negara, Tenaga Nasional Bhd. (TNB), merancang membida sebuah lagi projek pembinaan loji jana kuasa di Arab Saudi bernilai RM6.7 bilion.

Ketua Eksekutifnya, Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh yang enggan mengulas lanjut berkata, bidaan yang akan dibuat melalui sebuah konsortium baru, bakal dikemukakan bulan depan dan keputusannya dijangka diketahui pada Mac tahun depan.

Sekiranya berjaya, ia akan menjadi projek kedua TNB di Arab Saudi selepas projek pertama bernilai AS$2.8 bilion (RM10 bilion) yang disertainya melalui konsortium Saudi-Malaysia Water and Electricity Company Ltd (Samawec).

Beliau berkata, biarpun TNB berjaya memulihkan projek loji jana kuasa di Pakistan sehingga menjadikannya salah sebuah yang paling berdaya maju, syarikat utiliti tempatan itu tidak merancang melabur lagi di negara berkenaan.

nazrey

December 15th, 2009, 11:15 AM

TNB to finalise tenders for hydropower plant
Written by Joy Lee
Tuesday, 15 December 2009 16:27
http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/business-news/155719-tnb-to-finalise-tenders-for-hydropower-plant.html

KUALA LUMPUR: TENAGA NASIONAL BHD [] is in the midst of finalising the three tenders it received for the second phase of the CONSTRUCTION [] of the Ulu Terengganu hydropower plant and is expected to award the contract by February next year.

"For the civil works, we are evaluating the tender. We have received three tenders. We are evaluating the tenders and hopefully we can make that decision by January or February," said president and chief executive officer Datuk Sri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh.

He said the three parties that submitted their bids were Loh & Loh Corp Bhd with Sinohydro Corp, Italian company Salini Construction as well as GAMUDA BHD [] together with a Chinese company.

The plant in Ulu Terengganu is expected to generate 250 megawatts of electricity upon completion in 2015. The first phase of the construction has already been awarded to AHMAD ZAKI RESOURCES BHD [].

On a separate note, he said that power demand was expected to increase by 3% year-on-year for FY2010 ending Aug 31. However, he noted that demand growth from October to December this year has already exceeded 3% as the commercial and domestic consumption has shown improvement with commercial demand increasing by 6%.

"We have not changed our forecast yet and would be sticking with the 3% growth for now," he said.

Meanwhile, chairman Tan Sri Leo Moggie said its plan to transmit power to Peninsular Malaysia from the Bakun Dam was on track with the first cable expected to deliver electricity by 2015 and the second by 2017.

nazrey

December 17th, 2009, 08:13 PM

TNB assessing bids from 3 companies
Published: 2009/12/18

IN OUR story on Tenaga Nasional Bhd on Wednesday, it was stated that the group had hired three firms to be main contractors for its hydroelectric dam project in Hulu Terengganu.

Actually, TNB had received bids from three companies for the project’s main civil works and was now assessing them.

nazrey

December 27th, 2009, 08:35 PM

TNB in wind-powered IPP deal with Argentine firm
By Zaidi Isham Ism ail Published: 2009/10/05
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/TNBSA/Article/index_html

TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) (5347) and Argentina's giant energy firm Impsa have forged an alliance here to create an independent power producer (IPP) run by wind generated turbines.

Impsa, which has a workforce of over 7,000 people worldwide, is currently in the process of building the world's largest wind turbine farm in Argentina.

An official from the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry said the new IPP is formed to reduce TNB's high dependency on depleting fossil fuels as well as cut cost in capacity payments to the country's more than 20 IPPs.

The official said both TNB and Impsa have signed a memorandum of understanding two to three weeks ago to see the viability of the project for the next one year.
"Both parties have to see first whether Malaysia has enough wind to turn the fan blades of the wind turbines at selected locations with maximum wind tower height of 100m.

"Should there be enough wind, then the government after a year from now may consider taking up wind-powered electricity generation as one of the many sources of renewable energy, which include solar, biomass and hydro," the source told Business Times.

Meanwhile, an official from Impsa said the IPP will be a 50:50 joint venture and should the project take off, both parties will cooperate to build several wind farms at selected locations across the country and the power generated will be connected to the National Grid.

He said the wind farm must be in windy areas with minimum wind speed of 7m per second and areas include Mersing in Johor, Kuala Terengganu in Terengganu, Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, Pulau Langkawi and all along the Malaysia-Thailand border.

Except for the areas above, Malaysia has an average wind speed of two metres per second compared to Vietnam which has a wind speed of 16m per second.

Early this week, Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui said the ministry is conducting several trials at several windy areas in Malaysia to study the viability of the energy source before making a decision.

Impsa's chief operating officer Lucas Pescarmona said it cost between US$1.8 million (RM6.25 million) and US$2.5 million (RM8.68 million) to generate between 1 megawatt (MW) and 2.5 MW of wind power.

TNB currently pays IPPs at an average rate of 25 sen per kilowatt/hour compared to its cost of 17 sen per kilowatt/hour.

nazrey

January 20th, 2010, 06:05 PM

TNB records RM706.3m net profit for Q1
Published: 2010/01/20

TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) posted a net profit of RM706.3 million for its first quarter ended Nov 30, 2009, as against a loss of RM944.1 million in the same period in 2008, chairman Tan Sri Leo Moggie said today.

He attributed the profit to the impact of lower forex translation loss of RM45.4 million from RM1.43 billion before and lower operating expenses due to the reduced cost of fuel.

Pre-tax profit was at RM973.1 million versus a loss of RM772.7 million, he told a press conference here.

Revenue, however, declined to RM7.338 billion from RM7.414 billion due to the decrease in tariff effective March last year.

TNB president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said earnings are expected to remain sustainable in the current financial year.

"Based on December figures, we are confident of doing better this year compared to last year," he said.

On the operating side, Che Khalib said besides lower forex and the easing of coal price from its peak last year, the easing of gas prices has also helped.

He said with the reduction in gas allocation effective March 2009, generation from coal-fired plants was expected to increase as future demand growth would be required to be met from coal generation.

"In minimising exposure from high market conditions, TNB is staggering the coal price negotiations of its contract prices," he added.

The power utility firm also posted a 2.7 per cent electricity demand growth for Peninsular Malaysia and 7.3 per cent in Sabah for the first quarter this year.

Che Khalib said the industrial, commercial and domestic sectors recorded growth of 0.3 per cent, 3.8 per cent and 6.7 per cent respectively for the period.

However, he said TNB expects demand for the financial year to grow at a positive rate of 3.0 per cent.

"This reflects stronger ecocomic growth and activity spending resulting from the fiscal stimulus package and improving business outlook," he added.

BERNAMA

nazrey

January 21st, 2010, 05:49 PM

TNB giat kaji sumber tenaga nuklear - 12 Pegawai TNB kini berada di Korea Selatan :cheers:
Oleh SHAWKATH AZDE 21 Januari 2010
http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/content.asp?y=2010&dt=0121&pub=Kosmo&sec=Negara&pg=ne_09.htm

http://www.kosmo.com.my/kosmo/pix/2010/0121/Kosmo/Negara/ne_09.1.jpg

MOGGIE (kanan) menunjukkan laporan suku pertama kewangan
TNB sambil diperhatikan Che Khalib di Kuala Lumpur semalam.

KUALA LUMPUR - Tenaga Nasional Bhd. (TNB) semalam mengesahkan syarikat itu semakin giat menjalankan kajian berhubung penggunaan tenaga nuklear sebagai sumber alternatif di negara ini.

Ketua Pegawai Eksekutifnya, Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh berkata, TNB telah menandatangani memorandum persefahaman (MoU) dengan Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco).

"Ya, kami menandatangani MoU dengan Kepco malah (turut) melantik mereka untuk melakukan kajian awal berhubung kemungkinan mendirikan loji nuklear di negara ini," katanya.

Beliau berkata demikian dalam sidang akhbar selepas mengumumkan prestasi kewangan suku tahun pertama tahun kewangan yang berakhir 31 Ogos 2010 di sini semalam.

Hadir bersama ialah Pengerusi TNB, Tan Sri Leo Moggie.

Mengulas lanjut, Che Khalib berkata, pelbagai kajian dan kerja perlu dilakukan sebelum mendirikan kemudahan janakuasa loji nuklear.

nazrey

March 16th, 2010, 07:58 PM

Siemens partners TNB to light up rural areas
By Sharen Kaur Published: 2010/03/17

SIEMENS Malaysia Sdn Bhd will study the feasibility of providing solar-powered electricity to rural areas in Sabah and Sarawak, said its vice-president for management coordination office Eric Loo.

The German company plans to partner utility companies to do this. Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) is already doing the same thing by providing hybrid energy systems.

TNB's system combines a few energy sources. For example, a village will get its power supply from the sun during the day. Excess power is stored into batteries and this will be used for supply at night. There is also a diesel generator for back-up purposes.

"We will develop the idea with the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water and Ministry of Rural Development of Malaysia and enhance the development using our technologies," Loo told Business Times at the Malaysia-Europe Forum (MEF) roundtable dialogue in Munich, Germany, recently.

TNB has developed and implemented more than 30 hybrid mini-grid projects in Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah since 2003.

A TNB executive who declined to be named said that currently, only around 70 per cent of Sabah and 80 per cent of Sarawak has power supply, compared with 99.9 per cent in Peninsular Malaysia.

There are more than 500 villages in Sabah and Sarawak without power. Each village has an average of 50 to 70 families.

He said it will cost between RM2.5 million to RM3 million to provide 45-60 kilowatt of power to each village, using a combination of solar, battery and diesel.

"This means the government would need some RM1.5 billion to power up the villages using the mini-grid system," he added.

nazrey

April 7th, 2010, 07:02 AM

TNB rises most in 9 months after upgrade
Published: 2010/04/07
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/tnb6/Article/index_html

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/tnb6/pix_topright

AmResearch says Tenaga's second-quarter earnings will exceed estimates while CLSA raises Tenaga's rating to 'outperform' and lifts the share-price estimate to RM9.60 from RM8.20

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) (5347), Malaysia's biggest power producer, rose the most in nine months after AmResearch Sdn Bhd said its second-quarter earnings will exceed estimates and CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets upgraded the stock.

The shares climbed 3.8 per cent to RM8.41 at 11.43am on Bursa Malaysia, set for their biggest gain since July 10. The stock was the biggest gainer yesterday, closing at RM8.38, which was 28 sen higher than Monday's closing price of RM8.10.

Earnings for the second quarter ended February 28, expected later this month, will be "stronger than expected due to a sharp rebound in electricity demand growth," AmResearch analyst Alex Goh said in a report yesterday. There is an "incoming wave of catalysts" that will boost the stock, he said.

State-controlled TNB is benefiting from a recovery in power demand after Southeast Asia's third-largest economy emerged from its first recession in a decade in the last quarter.
The economy may expand by between 4.5 per cent and 5.5 per cent this year after contracting 1.7 per cent in 2009, Bank Negara Malaysia said in its annual report on March 24.

CLSA raised Tenaga's rating to "outperform" from "underperform" and increased the share-price estimate to RM9.60 from RM8.20, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Power consumption growth surged 14 per cent in the second quarter compared with the same period a year earlier, AmResearch's Goh said in the report. A stronger ringgit also helped reduce fuel and interest costs, he said.

The ringgit has risen 6.4 per cent this year, the best performer among Asia's most actively traded currencies. - Bloomberg

daeng_jal

May 7th, 2010, 11:03 AM

Friday May 7, 2010
Nuke plant not in Klang Valley

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s first nuclear power plant should not be built in the Klang Valley which has a high population of seven million people, said the atomic energy regulator.

Atomic Energy Licensing Board director-general Raja Datuk Abdul Aziz Raja Adnan said the plant and its buffer zone needed to be constructed on at least 2.6sq-km of land, equal to about 314 football pitches.

Abdul Aziz, who claimed he was neither for nor against nuclear energy, said the plant would need a base of solid rock with little or no seismic movement, more than 10m elevation to be safe from disasters like tsunamis and hurricanes, and located near a large body of water for cooling purposes.

“It needs to be near the electricity grid in order to ‘hook’ onto it and on the least populated area with no other land use.

“So, the Klang Valley is expected to be out,” he said in an interview yesterday.

Abdul Aziz was commenting on a statement by Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui that his ministry was currently conducting a study into constructing Malaysia’s first plant, estimated to cost RM20bil.

He stressed that the Government must fully comply with the advice of the International Atomic Energy Agency on the construction.

“It is important that an independent, internationally recognised agency look at whether our infrastructure meets world standards,” he said, adding that technology using mixed oxide methods could convert plutonium, which was spent nuclear fuel, to become more manageable by recycling part of it.

He said there were also mechanisms whereby vendors could lease nuclear fuel to Malaysia and then take it back for reprocessing.

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Nuclear Science Department scientist Prof Datuk Dr Sukiman Sarmani said the plant’s ideal site would be near the Straits of Malacca, among which are Batu Pahat in Johor, Pulau Angsa in Selangor and Sitiawan in Perak.

“Other states like Malacca and Pahang will definitely offer some locations. too,” he said, adding that selection must be subject to the Environmental Impact Assessment and Radiological Impact Assess*ment.

Dr Sukiman said while there was already a storage facility for low-level radioactive material in Belanja, Perak, spent fuel waste could also be kept in an underground mine.

“The Sungai Lembing tin mine is quite suitable for such a long-term storage,” he said, adding that as a Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty signatory, Malaysia was not allowed to process spent nuclear fuel from a reactor.

Both men also agreed that the current third and fourth generation nuclear reactors were safe and reliable, having “evolved” from the unstable first and second generation plants such as the one in Chernobyl.

Abdul Aziz said the Government might be looking into building two 500 MV plants while Dr Sukiman said a 2,000 MV plant was necessary for a 25% energy reserve to attract foreign investments.

.....................................................

mari teka who is lucky enough to get a nuclear staton:)

forrestcat

May 8th, 2010, 09:29 AM

The should put the plant next to the PM's office in Putrajaya....

firdaus

May 9th, 2010, 04:40 AM

haha.

hakz2007

May 12th, 2010, 06:26 AM

HARNESS WIND POWER TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY, SAYS EXPERT
KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (NNN-Bernama): An expert has suggested that wind power be harnessed to provide an alternative source of energy to the country.

Principal fellow of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia's Solar Energy Research Institute (Seri) Dr Mohamad Yusof Sulaiman said wind power technology had yet to be explored despite its potentials to provide an alternative source of energy.

"Offshore wind power generation, for instance, is capable of producing electricity at a high capacity just like a nuclear power plant does.

"It is also more competitive compared to solar power," he told Bernama when asked to comment on the government's plan to build a nuclear power plant by 2021 to provide energy security to the country.

Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has invited views from all parties on the alternative sources of energy prior to the implementation of a nuclear power generation.

Dr Mohamad Yusof said although nuclear was the most competitive power generation option, it should only be used as a last resort after the government considered other options such as biomass, solar, hydro and wind.

According to him, using wind to generate power is three times cheaper than using solar.

At the moment, 80 per cent of electricity in Malaysia are produced using gas and coal which are finite resources and not environmentally friendly.

The rest of the power are generated using hydro and biomass.http://namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=119931

nazrey

May 12th, 2010, 07:48 AM

TNB looks at other power options from Sarawak
By EDY SARIF Wednesday May 12, 2010
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/5/12/business/6241489&sec=business

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2010/5/12/business/p1-qtchtkhalibp2.JPG

KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) is looking for other options on bringing power from Sarawak to Peninsular Malaysia after the idea of dedicating power from Bakun has been shelved, says president/chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamed Noh.

“Beyond Bakun, there are still potential from other parts of Sarawak to supply power to the peninsula through the setting up of new hydro plants and TNB is in the process of exploring the options,” he told reporters yesterday at a press conference.

Che Khalib said the idea of dedicating power from Bakun was shelved recently due to energy demand from Sarawak such as the development of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy.

“However, there are two important things that we need to look into in order to bring the power from Sarawak to the peninsula. One is whether it is technically feasible and two, whether the cost is justifiable,” he said.

He said the plan to build nuclear plant to supply power in the country was just an option that could be explored by TNB to cater to power demand in the future despite rejection from some parties.

“We need to explore the best solution to cater to the power demand in the future and building nuclear plant is just one option. You need to realise that building a power plant is not that simple as it takes years for completion.

“Coal plants, for example, need 4-5 years to build and nuclear plants about 10 years. We need to plan from now so that the shortage of power supply in the future can be tackled,” he said.

Che Khalib said that currently, TNB has about 40% excess capacity of power for Peninsular Malaysia and would be in a comfortable zone until 2015.

“By 2015, we expect the reserve margin to be down to 20% and we need to plan from now in order to cater the increase in demand,” he said, adding that TNB had recorded a strong growth of power usage of 8% from October to March.

He said TNB's output stood at about 22,000 MW and by 2015-2020, it needs additional capacity of 4000 MW.

hakz2007

June 4th, 2010, 05:54 AM

MALAYSIAN POWER UTILITY TO COMPLETE REHABILITATION OF 26 MINI-HYDRO PLANTS NEXT YEAR
TANJUNG MALIM, MALAYSIA, June 4 (NNN-BERNAMA) -- Malaysia's national power utility Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) expects to complete the rehabilitation of its 26 mini hydro-power plants by the middle next year, says its Chief Executive Officer, Che Khalib Mohamad Noh.

In the process of rehabilitating them, TNB was also looking into expanding some of the plants, he told Bernama during a visit to the Bil River plant and officiating TNB's new building for its Tanjung Malim office in this town in northern Perak state Thursday.

"Before, we were looking at gas and coal plants and hydro in a way wasn't seriously looked into. So, we started to rehabilitate the mini-hydro sites over the last three years and this is one of the green energy efforts TNB is aggressively pursuing,"

He said TNB began maintaining the mini hydro plants after taking over the work from a contractor, Projass Engineering Sendirian Berhad, and only 10 to 12 sites were operating at the time of the takeover.

"In the past, we ignored them and maintenance deteriorated. After taking over, we had to resurrect some of the mini hydro plants," he said, adding that the rehabilitation was a small renewable energy programme which TNB had embarked upon to help the country increase its participation in renewable energy.

He said hydro-electricity plants should be developed to help meet electricity demand in the future. Although it was not economical previously, as they required high capital investment, the present high price of coal and possibly higher gas prices in the future, were making hydro projects very viable, Che Khalib added. http://namnewsnetwork.org/v2/read.php?id=122482

nazrey

June 16th, 2010, 09:17 AM

Power plant upgrades in the works
By Ooi Tee ChingPublished: 2010/06/16
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/ec/Article/index_html#ixzz0qzwU7OWG

The Energy Commission will soon call for bids to upgrade existing power plants in Peninsular Malaysia for use from 2015 onwards.

"Malaysia's power consumption increases by 3 per cent every year. By 2015, we'll need 800 megawatts (MW) more power and by 2017, a further 1,000MW," said Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui.

"If we don't plant up, we'll face brownouts," he told Business Times in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. Brownouts refer to the drop in voltage in electrical power supply.

Malaysia's electricity reserve margin could fall below the 20 per cent threshold if there are no efforts made to boost production capacity.

The future power supply in the peninsula is at risk after it was confirmed that electricity from the Bakun hydroelectric plant in Sarawak will only be used to meet the state's power needs.

Malaysia now has an installed capacity of 22,000MW.

It was reported that MMC Corp Bhd is keen to spend as much as US$1 billion (RM3.26 billion) to expand its 2,100MW Tanjung Bin power plant by another 800MW.

Similarly, Tenaga Nasional Bhd is seeking to raise capacity of its Manjung facility by 2,000MW from its current 2,100MW, at an estimated cost of between RM6 billion and RM7 billion.

Under the 10th Malaysia Plan (2011 to 2015), the government plans two power plant upgrades in Peninsular Malaysia and construction of a new one in Lahad Datu in Sabah.

"So far, power plant operators in Perak, Negri Sembilan and Johor have indicated their interest to expand capacity," Chin said.

"We're only planning for two here, so we'll call for bids. The Energy Commission will make the necessary preparation," he added.

nazrey

June 18th, 2010, 08:18 AM

Tenaga to bid for US$2.1b power project
Published: 2010/06/18
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20100618090308/Article/index_html

Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Malaysia’s state-controlled generator, will bid for a RM7 billion (US$2.1 billion) government project to upgrade power plants as the economic recovery boosts electricity demand.

Construction of a new coal-fired plant at the utility’s existing station in Manjung would start in early 2011 and be completed by the end of 2014, president Che Khalib said in an interview at the company headquarters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Malaysia’s Energy Commission will soon call for bids to upgrade power plants by 2015 as the electricity reserve margin could fall below 20 per cent if capacity isn’t increased, the Business Times reported on June 16, citing Energy Minister Peter Chin.

Power demand may rise by as much as five per cent a year in the next five years, in step with the government’s target of six per cent annual growth through 2015, Che Khalib said.

Tenaga may have to compete for the project with MMC Corp, Malaysia’s second-biggest electricity producer, and Jimah Energy Ventures, an independent power producer with a 25-year licence to operate a 1,400-megawatt coal-fired plant near Port Dickson in the southern state of Negri Sembilan.

If Tenaga wins the bid, it may sell bonds in the middle of 2011 to help finance the project, Tenaga president Che Khalib said in an interview in Kuala Lumpur yesterday. “The usual funding structure will be 20 per cent equity and 80 per cent debt, so probably around RM4 billion to RM5 billion kind of debt-raising” would be needed.

Tenaga shares rose 0.2 per cent to RM8.37 at 10:39 a.m. on the Malaysian stock exchange, headed for the highest close since May 19. They’ve dropped 0.4 per cent this year, lagging behind the benchmark index’s 3 per cent gain in the same period.

The government is planning 52 infrastructure and development projects worth RM63 billion over the next five years, including two coal-fired power plants, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said on June 10. The contracts will be put up for open tender, he said. -- Bloomberg

nazrey

July 15th, 2010, 07:52 AM

TNB's third quarter brighter as sales rise
By Zaidi Isham IsmailPublished: 2010/07/15
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/TENRANG-2/Article/index_html#ixzz0tjAOaNSg

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/TENRANG-2/Article/Current_News/BTIMES/Images/btgraph10/tnb15.jpg

Tenaga Nasional made a net profit of RM1.1 billion in the three months ended May 31 2010 compared with RM1 billion a year ago

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) (5347) said its third quarter net profit rose 10 per cent, due mainly to higher electricity sales in Peninsular Malaysia.

The national utility company made a net profit of RM1.1 billion in the three months ended May 31 2010 compared with RM1 billion a year ago. Revenue was up 10.3 per cent to RM7.7 billion from RM7 billion.

TNB president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said the strong performance was also attributable to a stronger ringgit versus the US dollar and the yen, which contributed to a foreign translation gain of RM569.1 million against RM144.4 million in the second quarter.

"Prospects for the fourth quarter and next financial year look good as we don't expect any sharp drop in electricity demand; and we expect the group to continue recording strong recovery in demand for the fourth quarter and whole of next year," Che Khalib told reporters at TNB's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
However, he warned that future profits could be hurt by uncertainties in the foreign exchange rate for the greenback and the yen arising from higher fuel prices caused by costlier coal.

"The upward trend in coal prices has started to erode TNB's margins, but it is cushioned by the strengthening ringgit against the US dollar," he said.

Nevertheless, margins could be squeezed further by even higher coal prices, which have jumped to US$90 (RM288) a tonne from US$80 (RM256) in the second quarter.

TNB chairman Tan Sri Leo Moggie noted that a new peak demand level of 15,072 megawatts was recorded in the peninsula on May 24, up 5.8 per cent from last year's.

The industrial and commercial sectors continued to record strong growth of 11.87 per cent and 7.9 per cent respectively.

TNB shares closed 13 sen higher at RM8.61 on Bursa Malaysia yesterday.

nazrey

July 26th, 2010, 09:03 AM

Solar hybrid system empowers Pulau Aur folk
Monday July 26, 2010
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/7/26/nation/6734839&sec=nation

JOHOR BARU: The life of the people in Pulau Aur, the farthest island off Mersing, has changed for the better since 2004.

From tuning in to satellite television to connecting to the World Wide Web, their life is not much different from that of their urban counterparts – thanks to the availability of round-the-clock electricity supply provided by Tenaga Nasional Ber*had.

Tenaga Nasional, through its subsidiary TNB-Energy Services Sdn Bhd, managed to resolve the electricity needs of the islanders by introducing the solar hybrid system.

The system combines solar, battery and generator set to generate electricity.

The availability of reliable electricity supply also narrows the digital gap between rural and urban students.

Pupils at Sekolah Kebangsaan Pulau Aur, for instance, are now using computers and LCD projectors in classes, just like urban schools.

Year 3 pupil Nur Aminah Salim, nine, said the use of computers and LCD projectors made learning fun with music and illustrations; and even cartoons.

Another student, Mohd Shukri Hamdan, nine, talked excitedly about how having a computer at home had made learning much more informative.

Zamri Bakar, 28, a teacher at the school, said the constant supply of electricity had allowed the school to incorporate the use of modern tools in the teaching process.

The constant power supply is also benefiting the tourism sector here with tour operators in Kampung Teluk Berhala reporting an increase in tourist arrivals.

Pulau Aur is known for its beautiful coral and rich marine life, attracting divers from within and outside the country.

TNB-Energy Services acting managing director Mohd Azhar Abdul Rahman said there were eight solar hybrid stations installed in five islands, namely Pulau Aur, Pulau Pemanggil, Pulau Besar, Pulau Sibu Besar and Pulau Tinggi. — Bernama

nazrey

August 3rd, 2010, 08:21 AM

TNB Gets Geospatial Technology For Electricity Award
August 02, 2010 21:08 PM
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsbusiness.php?id=518297

KUALA LUMPUR, August 2 (Bernama) -- Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) was conferred the Geospatial Technology for Electicity Award at Map Asia 2010 which was held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from July 26 to 28.

The event was organised by the Institution of Surveyors, Malaysia, and GIS Development, a geospatial communications network company.

The award was among those presented at Map Asia 2010 to honour the best geospatial applications in Asia Pacific region and to encourage the adoption and furthering of geospatial science and technologies by organisations all over the region.

TNB has been extensively using the Geographic Information System (GIS) for cost-effective asset management and development wherein the network can be continuously monitored, analysed and optimised for better management of network asset.

The national utility has also embarked on the enterprise GIS called Corporate GIS whose objective is to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs by implementing various functions over and above the GIS platform.

-- BERNAMA

nazrey

September 24th, 2010, 07:30 AM

Tenaga ‘ready’ for nuclear power
Written by Chong Jin Hun Thursday, 23 September 2010 12:20
http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/in-the-financial-daily/174045-tenaga-ready-for-nuclear-power.html

http://www.theedgemalaysia.com/images/stories/FinancialDaily/23092010/100923_fd_cover.jpg

KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Bhd is “ready” to undertake the planned construction of the country’s first nuclear power plant as part of a long-term initiative to diversify the country’s energy sources for electricity generation, said its president and CEO Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh.

He said the country’s power generation operations would not be able to meet electricity demand post-2020 if the power producers continued relying on finite hydrocarbon energy resources such as gas and coal.

“The first hurdle is to get public acceptance (of nuclear energy),” Che Khalib said.

Tenaga, according to him, has made initial preparations by sending its officials to, among others, the US, UK, Japan and South Korea to learn about nuclear technology.

Tenaga, together with the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry and Malaysian Nuclear Agency, had submitted a preliminary proposal for a nuclear facility to the government, which is still deliberating the feasibility of the project.

In May, Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Peter Chin had said that the ministry had been given the green light to start identifying suitable locations for the nuclear facility which was expected to start operations by 2021.

Chin had said the nuclear plant needed to be constructed within an enclave with high power demand, an indication that it could be located on the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

According to the minister, the International Atomic Energy Agency would have the final say on whether the nuclear facility could be set up, and that Malaysia was seeking technical expertise from abroad — possibly from China, Japan, South Korea and France — to establish the nuclear plant, which is the first to be proposed in Southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, Che Khalib said Tenaga, which last month secured the initial 1,000 megawatt (MW) portion of the planned coal-fired power plant project in Manjung, Perak, may place its bid for the subsequent portion if given the opportunity to do so.

He said the government might solicit tenders from independent power producers (IPPs) for the second 1,000MW portion by year-end, and that Tenaga hoped it would be on competitive bidding terms.

“We are interested,” Che Khalib told reporters on the sidelines of Tenaga’s Hari Raya open house here yesterday. He however indicated that should the company feel that the initial 1,000MW was sufficient for its operations, the utility would refrain from competing with the other IPPs for the second portion.

The Manjung project, awarded by the government on a build-own-operate concept, is expected to begin operations in the first quarter of 2015.

At present, Tenaga via wholly owned subsidiary TNB Janamanjung Sdn Bhd operates an existing 2,100- MW coal-fired electricity generation facility in Manjung, which was constructed at a cost of RM7 billion.

ashraf abdullah

September 24th, 2010, 10:42 AM

yeahh..
i strongly agree with nuke power.
electricity much cheaper and cities will be bathed with light!

nazrey

September 24th, 2010, 10:49 AM

Think Nuclear, Think Green

http://www.tnb.com.my/application/themes/tnb/img/banner/4.png (http://www.tnb.com.my/think-nuclear-think-green.html)

TNB has embarked on various initiatives to ensure the delivery of continuous, stable, and reliable electricity supply for the consumption of our consumers.

The national five-fuel energy diversification policy recognises oil, hydro, gas, coal and renewable energy as the main fuels for powering the nation.

Besides electricity generation from diesel, coal, oil and gas, TNB has commissioned a few solar hybrid systems located in Pulau Kapas Terengganu and other rural areas; in order to meet the increasing electricity demand. Long-term energy security concerns, however, prompted the nuclear energy option to be revisited.

In June 2009, the Malaysian Cabinet decided to include nuclear energy as part of an energy option for electricity generation particularly in Peninsular Malaysia for post-2020.

Furthermore, with the threat of climate change and the depletion of fossil fuel resources, it is no surprise that utilities worldwide are putting the nuclear alternative back on the table.

In our effort to educate the public, this section will provide you with further information about nuclear energy.

http://www.tnb.com.my/tnb/application/uploads/assets/cache/87_600_338_90.jpg

nazrey

October 2nd, 2010, 06:16 AM

TNB calls for green energy tax incentives
By Zaidi Isham Ismail Published: : 2010/10/02
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/TNBTER-2/Article/

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/TNBTER-2/pix_bottom

TENAGA Nasional Bhd (TNB) (5347) is calling on the government to introduce tax incentives under the upcoming Budget 2011 to promote green energy such as the installation of solar panels and other equipment at homes and workplace.

TNB president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said this will encourage more people to use renewable energy sources which can lead to a reduction in overall energy cost.

"I think the government will put more initiatives for green energy under the Budget," Che Khalib told reporters in Kuala Lumpur yesterday after jointly launching an energy efficiency contest with the New Straits Times Press (NSTP).

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is due to present the Budget in Parliament on October 25.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui said on Tuesday Malaysia is going all out to apply green technology.

nazrey

November 3rd, 2010, 04:39 AM

TNB wins Asean award
Wednesday November 3, 2010
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/11/3/business/7350314&sec=business

KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) won the award for the “Most Admired Asean Enterprise in Employment Category” at the 2010 Asean Business and Investment Summit in Hanoi last week.

Vice-president of human resources Datuk Muhammad Razif Abdul Rahman received the award from Vietnam deputy prime minister Pham Gia Khiem, TNB said in a statement yesterday.

The award was in recognition of TNB’s manpower planning, its implementation of performance management system and the setting up of a private university, Universiti Tenaga Nasional. — Bernama

nazrey

December 16th, 2010, 11:45 AM

TNB's capital expenditure may peak to RM6.5bil
By DANNY YAP Thursday December 16, 2010

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2010/12/16/business/p1-khalib.JPG

Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh ...
‘We anticipate an additional RM1bil to as high as RM2bil capex.’

Additional funds needed in 2013 to complete three new power plants

KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Bhd's (TNB) capital expenditure (capex) for fiscal years ending Aug 31, 2011 and 2012 will remain between RM4.2bil and RM4.5bil but could peak up to RM6.5bil in 2013 as additional funds will be needed to complete its three new power plants.

President and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said TNB's three new power plant projects located in Ulu Jelai, Pahang, Hulu Terengganu and Jana Manjung in Perak were currently at the preliminary stage of development and hence did not require much funds for now.

But at the advanced stages of development of the power plants in 2013, more funds will be required, he told reporters after TNB's AGM yesterday. The RM2.1bil Ulu Jelai and RM1.6bil Hulu Terengganu plants would generate 372MW and 250MW of electricity respectively.

Construction of both hydro plants has begun, while the coal-fired plant in Jana Manjung, which is now undergoing expansion, is expected to generate 1,000MW when completed by 2015.

TNB's capex should peak in 2013 as more funds will be required when the power plant projects near completion. We anticipate an additional RM1bil to as high as RM2bil capex, he said.

READ MORE: http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/12/16/business/7629497&sec=business

nazrey

December 17th, 2010, 12:26 PM

TNB awards RM1b jobs for hydropower project
Published: 2010/12/17
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20101216232320/Article/index_html#ixzz18Magw0gO

The job packages involve the construction of two dams, installation of two hydro turbines and generators in an underground 250 megawatts power station.

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) yesterday awarded more than RM1 billion worth of packaged jobs to build the Hulu Terengganu Hydropower on Sungai Terengganu, upstream of Kenyir Lake.

The job packages involve the construction of two dams, installation of two hydro turbines and generators in an underground 250 megawatts (MW) power station.

In its filing to the stock exchange yesterday, TNB said the hydropower project will take five years to complete. Payment will be made progressively and by October 2015, the plant is expected to start producing electricity.

Loh & Loh Construction Sdn Bhd and Sinohydro Corp Ltd joint-venture were awarded RM828.3 million contract to build two dams, a water transfer tunnel and an underground power house.

The Consortium of Alstom Projects India Ltd and Alstom Hydro Malaysia Sdn Bhd were awarded separate contracts worth e27.5 million (RM114 million) and RM127.6 million to design, make, erect, test and commission two generators, each capable of generating 125MW.

The remaining job package, split into C$17.3 million (RM54 million) and RM35.9 million contracts, goes to SNC-Lavalin Inc, SNC-Lavalin Power (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, KTA Tenaga Sdn Bhd and G&P Professionals Sdn Bhd to provide detailed engineering design for the main civil works, engineering design review for the electrical and mechanical works, project management and site supervision.

nazrey

March 23rd, 2011, 01:05 PM

TNB to build gas-fired power plant in Sabah
Published: 2011/03/23
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/tnbah/Article/

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/tnbah/pix_topright

SINGAPORE: Malaysia's national power producer Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) (5347) plans to build a 300-megawatt gas-fired power plant in Sabah, chief executive Officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh said yesterday.

The plan to build a gas-based plant comes after Malaysia's federal and Sabah state governments scrapped a plan to build a coal-fired power plant.

Che Khalib said TNB has received in-principle approval to build the plant.

"It will be a gas-fired plant to replace the coal-based one that was being planned. We are looking to do it either through piped gas of LNG."
The company is currently assessing whether piping in the gas from another part of the state or importing it in its chilled form as liquefied natural gas was the best option economically, he added.

TNB said he expects to mitigate the impact of rising coal prices on the company's bottom line by securing long-term supply contracts with mines in Australia, Indonesia and South Africa.

He ruled out taking ownership in any of them. "We don't believe in owning mines," Che Khalib said.

TNB had in January warned of greater pressure on its margins for the rest of the year on skyrocketing price of coal.

In a worst case scenario, TNB's 2011 earnings would be 20 per cent lower than 2010, although Che Khalib said he expected coal prices to moderate after February.

About 40 per cent of the company's power supply is coal-fired.

Despite growing imports of LNG, Che Khalib expects Malaysia to remain a next exporter of the super-cooled gas for the next 20 years, he said. - Reuters

nazrey

April 1st, 2011, 03:36 PM

TNB inks pact on Manjung power plant
Published: 2011/04/01
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110401191602/Article/index_html

Tenaga Nasional Bhd's (TNB) wholly-owned subsidiary, TNB Janamanjung Sdn Bhd (TNBJ), has signed an engineering, procurement and construction agreement with the Consortium of Alstom Power System SA to develop a 1x1000MW coal-fired power plant in Manjung, Perak.

The contract is worth over RM5 billion and will potentially increase TNB group's net assets by approximately 17.28 per cent.

The consortium comprises Alstom Power System SA, Alstom (Wuhan) Engineering & Technology Co. Ltd, Alstom Services Sdn Bhd, China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation and CMC Machipex Sdn Bhd.

The consortium will be responsible for the design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the power plant, the company said in a filing to Bursa Malaysia today.

TNB said the project which is expected to be completed and fully commissioned by March 2015 is part of its on-going efforts to cater for future demand growth in electricity.

The national utility company said the proposed coal-fired power plant will be located adjacent to its existing 3x700MW coal-fired power plant in Manjung.

"The new plant will utilise the supercritical boiler technology which is deemed to be cleaner than the conventional boiler technology," it added. --Bernama

nazrey

April 28th, 2011, 12:52 PM

Tenaga ranked 550th in Forbes list
Published: 2011/04/28
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20110428104333/Article/index_html

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) leapt 159 spots to rank as the 550th world's biggest company in this year's list of Forbes Global 2000.

Of the 20 Malaysian companies listed in Forbes Global 2000 for 2011, TNB was placed third with sales of US$9.6 billion, assets of US$23.6 billion and market value of US$11.1 billion, said TNB in a statement today.

"Electricity demand growth in line with the upswing in the domestic economy and the enhanced operational efficiencies pushed our ranking back into the 500 range this year from 709th in 2010," said TNB President/Chief Executive Officer Datuk Sri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh.

He added that it would be challenging for the utility company to remain at that spot next year given rising coal prices, insufficient gas supply and comparatively more expensive alternative fuels.

Forbes Global 2000 is an annual listing of 2000 of the world's biggest corporations issued by Forbes. It uses an equal weighting of sales, profits, assets and market value to rank companies according to size. -- Bernama

nazrey

May 25th, 2011, 06:18 AM

TNB sparkles
By Francis FernandezPublished: 2011/05/25
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/TNBXX/Article/

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KUALA LUMPUR: Tenaga Nasional Bhd's share price shot up yesterday on anticipation that the national utility will receive approval from the government for a tariff hike.

Speculation was at feverish pitch on the back of a lacklustre market yesterday, as funds and punters drove TNB shares to its highest level in well over three months.

Yesterday, TNB closed higher by 27 sen at RM6.49 with more than 14 million shares exchanging hands.

The two TNB call warrants in the market, namely TNB CQ and TNB CR, were also actively traded.

TNB CQ was up 2.5 sen to close at 11.5 sen, while the TNB CR call warrants closed also 2.5 sen higher at 7.5 sen a warrant.

Speculation is rife that at today's cabinet meeting, it will approve a minimum 5 per cent hike, allowing TNB to raise commercial and private electricity rates.

OSK Research expects a 5 per cent to 10 per cent tariff hike for the utility, as the tariff has been unchanged since March 2009.

However, Business Times understands that under the new tariff regime, some 56 per cent of the nation's population will not be affected by the increase in tariff rates.

Meanwhile, after the close of trading yesterday, TNB announced that its president and chief executive officer Datuk Che Khalib Mohamad's contract has been extended by a year to June 30 2012.

nazrey

August 20th, 2011, 08:24 AM

Tenaga's power plan
By Shahriman Johari Published: 2011/08/20
http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/noxtend/Article/index_html

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Kuala Lumpur: Tenaga Nasional Bhd is proposing that first generation power contracts are allowed to expire and an open bidding process be used to replace the lost capacity.

"To me, the PPA (power purchase agreement) renegotiations did not bring any results. It is probably time for the parties to decide what to do," TNB chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh told Business Times in an interview recently.

Apart from the failed two rounds of talks, the scarcity of gas is also a factor.

If gas continues to be scarce, it will be better for the country to have new plants that are more efficient and can last another 25 years. New plants that are more efficient will be able to produce more power using the same amount of gas.

Building new gas-fired plants will also help the country reduce its carbon footprint, he explained.

"Because gas is becoming more scarce, we better think seriously about this," Che Khalib said.

TNB's proposal means that independent power producers with contracts that will start expiring in stages from end-2015 will bid to supply new capacity from 2016 onwards.

It also means that IPPs must be told sometime in 2012 or 2013 if their PPAs won't be renewed. This will give them time to bid and build new plants.

There are five first-generation PPAs signed in 1993 that are binding for 21 years.

The IPPs are YTL Power Generation Sdn Bhd, Genting Sanyen Power Sdn Bhd, Segari Energy Ventures Sdn Bhd, Powertek Bhd and Port Dickson Power Sdn Bhd.

These IPPs have a collective generation capacity of around 4,100MW and the PPAs would expire in stages from end-2015.

It was reported that a new government unit called MyPower Corp will review PPAs between TNB and IPPs and make recommendations to three ministries, said Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry deputy secretary-general Badaruddin Mahyuddin.

MyPower is headed by Datuk Abdul Razak Majid, formerly TNB's senior vice-president of corporate affairs.

"Part of its (MyPower) task is to review and discuss the contents of the PPAs and come up with suggestions for both TNB and IPPs. Before submitting these recommendations to the three ministries KeTTHA, Prime Minister's Office and Finance Ministry, the unit will jointly discuss them with the Energy Commission," Badaruddin reportedly said.

nazrey

September 16th, 2011, 12:38 PM

Grim picture for TNB; RM3bil more needed for power generation
Wednesday September 14, 2011
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/9/14/business/9494200&sec=business

http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2011/9/14/business/p1-khalib.JPG

“Power plants in the country were not made to burn distillates. To generate
1,000 MW using the alternate fuel, it costs us about an extra RM10mil daily.
It’s time for the country to review the gas allocation policy,”
Che Khalib(right in pic) said at TNB's Hari Raya open house.

PETALING JAYA: Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh has painted a grimmer picture for the national utility firm, estimating that TNB will need to spend another RM3bil on power generation for this year due to a shortage of gas supply.

Bernama reported yesterday quoting Che Khalib as saying that TNB would need to go to the market to raise money for operations, for the first time, if no immediate solution was found to address the gas crisis.

He added that all fund raising done previously was for capital expenditure.

TNB has been experiencing gas curtailment from its supplier, Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), and has seen the gas shortage impact its bottom line, prompting the company to issue a warning on its profitability and dividend payment.

On average, TNB is getting about 900 million standard cu ft per day (mmscfd), far from the usual rate of 1,250 mmscfd.

TNB needs to replace the shortfall in gas volume by utilising more oil and distillates which are five times more expensive than gas.

“Power plants in the country were not made to burn distillates. To generate 1,000 MW using the alternate fuel, it costs us about an extra RM10mil daily. It's time for the country to review the gas allocation policy,” he told the news agency at TNB's Hari Raya open house.

Che Khalib said the financial impact of gas shortage for TNB was more apparent this year, with the extra cost for power generation estimated at a minimum of RM2.6bil for 2011.

“At the moment, we are using internal reserves which are draining out fast. Our debt level, which stood at RM32bil in 2001, is down to RM18bil, and this gives us room to borrow but we can't sustain ourselves for long. We need a permanent solution,” he added.

It is expected that gas supply to TNB will likely normalise by the middle of next year when Petronas' regasification terminal for liquefied natural gas in Malacca becomes ready.

Analysts also expect that Petronas' RM15bil gas-exploration project in the North Malay Basin will benefit TNB as the project will increase gas volumes for Petronas' customers, including TNB.

However, they said that the RM15bil gas-exploration project would not solve the immediate gas-shortage problem for TNB as the first gas from the project was expected in 2013.

Based on TNB's current gas power-generation capacity, the volume needed is about 1,700 mmscfd. The power sector is entitled to about 1,350 mmscfd.

Meanwhile, Bernama also reported that TNB has lobbied for the additional fuel costs to be shared with Petronas and independent power producers.

Last month, TNB submitted a proposal for cost sharing as an immediate solution to the Government but there has been no decision yet.

In its report on TNB yesterday, AmResearch Sdn Bhd upgraded its call on the stock from “hold” to “buy”, stating that the company's valuations had become compelling for a utility firm, with its share price having fallen below its book value at RM5.32 per share.

“TNB is currently trading at highly attractive single-digit financial year 2012 forecast price earnings valuation of only 8 times at the bottom of its five-year band of 8 times to 15 times,” AmResearch said.

TNB's share price ended seven sen higher at RM5.21 yesterday.

nazrey

September 19th, 2011, 10:03 AM

TNB to issue RM5bil sukuk for Janamanjung plant soon
By CHOONG EN HAN Saturday September 17, 2011
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/9/17/business/9517953&sec=business

PETALING JAYA: Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) will raise RM5bil from a 20-year ringgit-denominated sukuk issuance at the end of next month to finance the extension of its Janamanjung power plant.

This comes at a time when the national utility company is facing a severe gas supply shortage that may result in it incurring additional fuel cost.

In a Bernama report on Thursday, TNB president and chief executive officer Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohd Noh said the group would do its book-building exercise in the third week of October. “The timing is good as the domestic market is now flush with liquidity,” he said.

In April, TNB awarded French group Alstom a 650-million-euro (RM2.8bil) contract to build the Janamanjung 1,000-MW supercritical coal-fired power plant.

Alstom will engineer, procure, construct and commission a 1,000-MW steam turbine, a generator, a supercritical boiler and auxiliaries. The plant is expected to come online in 2015.

The plant will be the single largest in South-East Asia and will produce enough electricity to power nearly two million households in the country.

The project follows TNB's 1999 contract with Alstom to build the currently operating 2,100-MW Manjung coal-fired power plant.

The supercritical power plant operates at a higher temperature than regular coal-fired power plants. Its high temperature increases the pressure at which it operates, which in turn improves its efficiency, increasing the amount of power output and decreasing emission per unit of fuel burned.

Meanwhile, TNB is still bogged down by cost concerns whereby it may incur additional fuel costs of up to RM3bil.

On Tuesday, Che Khalib said the company's fourth-quarter performance would be weak and his earnings estimate for 2011 had gone haywire and had been cut by more than 50%, marred by a continued gas supply shortage.

Analysts have said the gas shortage might only be permanently resolved by the second half of 2012, when Petronas Gas' regasification terminal in Malacca was operational and Malaysia started importing liquefied natural gas at market prices.