Kimanis Power Plant Can Solve Sabah's Growing Demand For Electricity - Musa

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=458115

November 26, 2009 14:16 PM

Kimanis Power Plant Can Solve Sabah's Growing Demand For Electricity - Musa

KIMANIS (Sabah), Nov 26 (Bernama) -- The Kimanis Power Plant (KPP) at Kampung Kuala Benoni, Kimanis, Papar, can cater for Sabah's increasing electricity demand said Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman Thursday.

He said the project, a joint-venture between PETRONAS Gas Berhad and Yayasan Sabah Group through its wholly-owned company, NRG Consortium Sdn Bhd would be able to produce 300MW of electricity by 2014.

"The power plant will increase the capacity of electricity produced in the state to supplement those produced by the Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB). The KPP will also be incorporated into the state power grid to help stimulate Sabah's economy," he told reporters after the KPP ground breaking ceremony here Thursday.

A portion of the natural gas produced from the offshore fields of Sabah will be used as feed gas to power the plant.

The KPP, covering 41 hectares, is expected to be completed by the end of 2013.

-- BERNAMA

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In 2008, CM said "No Coal for Sabah"

RM1.3b power plant is no-go

Thursday, 03 April 2008

KOTA KINABALU: The controversial RM1.3 billion coal fired plant project in Lahad Datu has been axed as the government feels that it may have an adverse impact on the environment.

The issue was brought up during the state cabinet meeting yesterday and it was decided that Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd and Tenaga Nasional Berhad will have to look for alternative sources of energy and sites.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said that after weighing the pros and cons, they had decided to do away with the proposal and not to risk the health and welfare of the communities in the area.

The proposed site is also next to Darvel Bay, which had recently been earmarked for eco-tourism development, and conservation areas like Maliau Basin, Danum Valley and Ulu Segama, which have highly sensitive eco systems, are also in the vicinity.

"We cannot allow such a plant to be built in the location because these conservation areas have been designated as eco-tourism sites under the Sabah Development Corridor," Musa said in a statement.

He added that such a proposal would be in conflict with the SDC policy of sustainable growth via environmental conservation.

Tenaga Nasional Berhad would be asked to look for alternative sources of energy aside from coal.

"I know some say that today's technology will mean the proposed plant is safe and clean, but other experts disagree.

"After careful consideration, we just cannot take the risk. We need to look for more environmentally friendly sources of energy and location.

"We cannot trade off the environment for progress and deprive our future generation of Sabah's natural wonders," he said.

Source: New Straits Times (2008-04-03)

Link: http://kepkas.sabah.gov.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=96:rm13b-power-plant-is-no-go&catid=36:year-2008&Itemid=70

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Reply to YB

Dear YB of Bugaya, Datuk Ramlee Marhaban,

1. We are not members of the opposition or affiliated with any political parties nor persons, we are just Rakyat with good common sense. We don't blindly follow.

2. Coal-fired power plants is proven SCIENTIFICALLY as being extremely dirty energy source, this is a fact! It produces a large number of pollutants such as sulphur (SOX) and nitrogen oxides (NOX) and a even higher amount of crabon dioxide (CO2). This not only effects air quality of your constituency but also increases global warming and leads to dramatic weather patterns, remember what happened to Philippines recently?

3. What do you think your Rakyat will say to you and the Govt when they are affected by all this 5 -10 years down the road?


4. According to the UN and other reputable sources, developed countries are moving AWAY from coal fired plants because of all these problems and you want Sabah to go for it? Think long term YB.

5. Peninsula Malaysia and Sarawak may have coal that does not mean it is clean and safe, it just shows that the Govt did not listen to them (look at how many States the opposition has there?) and Sarawak we all know is a different political story.

In conclusion YB, get your facts right and think for the LONG term!

Sekian terima kasih.

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A message to the politcians!

Dear Sabah politicians in the State Assembly,

We do not have a political agenda or bias, check us out see if we are in political parties. If anything we support the Government! We just have a good dose of common sense and want to protect the people, wildlife and nature of Sabah! You guys, should listen and open your eyes to solutions.

Sekian terima kasih!

Green SURF

ps-guys continue to write to the PM!

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No Reason For Malaysia Not To Be Among Leaders In Solar Power, Says Peter Chin

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- There is no reason for Malaysia, which has all-year-round sunshine, to be among the leaders in the solar power market, says Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Peter Chin.

"If Germany with such a low sunshine can be a global solar market, then it is a crying shame why Malaysia cannot be better, with our all-year-round sunshine," he said in his keynote address at the Sixth National Utilities Summit 2009.

Germany generates about 3,800MW (Megawatt) solar power, almost half of the world market.

Chin said Malaysia will soon implement the feed-in tariff like Germany to enable users to sell excess power to the power grid.

It is also contemplating other measures to promote photovoltaics, he said in his text of speech read out by the ministry's Deputy Secretary-General ( Green Technology and Water) Datuk Nor Azmal Mohd Nazir.

If not for households, at least facilities with huge roof spans such as the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, National Sports Complex, Kuala Lumpur City Centre and factories in industrial zones should implement BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics), Chin said.

As for nuclear power, he said, it is something for post-2020.

He said Malaysia is finalising Renewable Energy Plan to boost its development in the country.

By 2020, hydropower, which now accounts for about eight per cent of electricity generated, will increase its share to 17 per cent, he said.

On water, Chin said traditional water sources are being threatened by pollution due to development encroachment.

While ground water has been touted as an alternative, it is not sustainable and disrupts geological structures and soluble minerals make treatment more costly, hence the importance of harvesting rainwater, especially for non-potable purposes, he said.

Chin said the government is contemplating appropriate mechanism including fiscal mechanism to promote the culture of rainwater harvesting.

Malaysia is also finalising its national sewerage policy and master plan for implementation, he added

-- BERNAMA

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Good points by Dorothy for the PM!

The following is a really good statement posted by a Dorothy for the Prime Minister: Coal and Sabah

Dear Mr Prime Minister Greetings and blessing to you from Sabah

Thank you for your concern on the plight of Sabahan concerning the shortage of power supply. With due respect, I would like to say that bringing in Coal Power Plant to Sabah is not the solution that we Sabahan wants. There are much better options in dealing with this issue, such as solar energy, biomass and so forth, as to what The National Green Technology Policy (NGTP) is all about. The reason given by TNB for not selecting these options is that, it is still at its infancy stage. But if Malaysia can spend billions in sending an astronaut to space then Malaysia too can spend billions in finding an alternative to Coal Power Plant.

TNB has given an assurance that the proposed Coal Power Plant would be a clean power plant, but it is known that no matter how clean it claims to be, there will still be discharge from combustion of the fossil fuels into the air that causes pollution, health problems (e.g. lung cancer) and also greenhouse gasses in which is the major contributor on Global Warming. Then, there would also be the issue of solid ash waste in which contains heavy metal. These facts can be easily seen in countries that say “We practice Clean Coal Power Plant” The effect of prolonged dependencies on Coal Power plants towards the people and the environment are quite devastating. So bearing this in our mind, we Sabahan are saying “No to Coal Power Plant” not only for us but also for our children, grand children and the future generation.

As a Sabahan I am proud of Sabah’s rich heritage of biodiversity which ages back to million of years and its abundant wildlife habitat. Sabah is internationally known for these. This is affirmed by the increasing number of tourist coming into Sabah. So it is only understandable, why this is another reason, we Sabahans opposed to the Coal Power Plant. We, Sabahans would like to have a comfortable life too, just as our counter parts in Semenanjung but we do not want to have this comfortable life at the expense of sacrificing our pride and joy of Sabah being internationally known of its richness and uniqueness. Please understand our plight and our reason for saying “No to Coal Power Plant”. Give us alternative to Coal Power Plant and help us to safeguard our heritage. Salam sejahtera.

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China closing Coal Fired Power Plants in Shangai

Wednesday, 16 Sep 2009 03:51am EDT

BEIJING (Reuters) - China is considering moving the last four coal-fired power and heating plants out of Beijing's municipal area, replacing them with gas-fired stations, state media reported on Monday, in an effort to improve air quality in the capital.

"The existence of a number of coal-fired power plants in urban Beijing does not conform with the city's positioning as a metropolis," Zhang Guobao, head of the China's National Energy Administration (NEA), was quoted as saying in the China Energy News.

"While the heat supply to Beijing residents must be ensured, coal-fired stations that need to be relocated must be relocated, and building gas-fired plants with advanced environmental protection technologies is a first choice."

No timeframe was mentioned for the possible move, and it was not clear where the plants would be moved to if such a decision were approved.

The four plants, owned by Huaneng Power International, Datang International Power Generation Co Ltd, China Shenhua Energy and Beijing Jingneng Thermal Power Co Ltd, have a total power generating capacity of about 2.7 gigawatts (GW).

The plan, if it is implemented, would further drive up gas demand in Beijing, which already tops demand rankings among Chinese cities. Beijing consumed more than 5 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas in 2008.

Beijing's gas consumption by power plants alone would reach 13 bcm by 2020 if all coal-fired plants switch to gas turbines, far above earlier plans, Vice Mayor Huang Wei was quoted as saying in the report.

As a result, construction of gas pipelines, liquefied natural gas facilities and underground storage tanks need to be accelerated, Huang said.

PetroChina, the dominant gas supplier for Beijing, has two pipelines sending gas from Shaanxi province that combined have shipping capacity of 20 bcm per year.

PetroChina has the ability to meet Beijing's future gas demand from residents, heating and power generators, Zhao Zhongxun, vice general manager of PetroChina, was quoted as saying.

The top Chinese oil and gas firm has started early-stage work for a third pipeline, linking Shaanxi to Beijing, while a fourth line is also being planned, according to Zhao.

The third Shaanxi-Beijing gas pipeline, at 822 kilometres, is designed to have transportation capacity of 12 bcm per year.

Beijing's power consumption rose to a record of more than 14 GW in August, and more than two thirds of the supplies were generated from outside Beijing.

Coal-fired plants produce about 80 percent of China's national electricity output.

(Reporting by Jim Bai and Tom Miles; Editing by Ken Wills)

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