TNB gets second bite at coal-fired plant
Joseph Sipalan | Nov 25, 10 1:40pm
http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/149132
National power company Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has indicated that it will continue with its plan to build the controversial 300MW coal-fired power plant in Lahad Datu, Sabah.
Despite its initial detailed environment impact assessment (DEIA) report being rejected by the Department of Environment (DoE) on Aug 18, the company has the option of appealing the decision.
"A revised DEIA report will be resubmitted for review and approval," the company said in a short entry in its 2010 annual report.
The coal-fired plant, to be built on Felda Sahabat land some 100km from Lahad Datu town, is the third incarnation of the project after it was rejected twice on environmental grounds.
The first proposal in 2007 was for the facility to be built in Silam, also in Lahad Datu. Two years later, the site was changed to Seguntor, Sandakan.
On both counts, the project saw fierce opposition from the public and environmental NGOs.
Second bid allowed
State tourism, culture and environment minister Masidi Manjun had said in August that both the state and federal governments had pledged not to press ahead with the project if the DEIA is rejected.
He however pointed out that TNB could still pursue the matter as "existing policy and procedures give (the) option" to the developer to carry out another DEIA report, in a bid to secure approval from the DoE.
The RM1.7 billion plant has come under heavy criticism over the past year, with NGO coalition Green SURF going as far as to accuse TNB of producing a DEIA designed to "mislead" the public into believing the facility is eco-friendly.
The proposed project was awarded to a consortium of TNB Remaco, Eden-Nova and a Sabah state-owned company. A special purpose vehicle company, Lahad Datu Energy Sdn Bhd, was formed to implement the project.
***
This coal plant has been REJECTED 3 times. This will be the FOURTH time TNB will be pursuing the coal plant in Sabah thus they openly DISRESPECT:
The peoples of Sabah
The State Government of Sabah
The Federal Government DoE Department of Environment
Land Empowerment Animals and People (LEAP) NGO
Partners of Community Organisations (PACOS TRUST) NGO
Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA) NGO
Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) NGO
WWF Malaysia (NGO)
TNB, a public service utility, is holding The Peoples of Sabah and The State Government at ransom.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
Gov Must Decide on Coal Plant: Green SURF
Press Release
KOTA KINABALU (25th October 2010): A coalition of non-governmental organisations here wants the Government to take a stand on the status of a proposed coal-fired power plant in Lahad Datu.
The request from Green SURF (Sabah Unite to Re-Power the Future) comes two months after the federal Department of Environment (DOE) rejected the Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment report for the 300 megawatt project.
Green SURF’s Mr Wong Tack said the coalition was still waiting for a decision on whether the project will continue.
“We would like to know the stand of the authorities, in particular the Sabah Government. Green SURF wrote to the Sabah Government over three weeks ago, but we have yet to get feedback.
“We hope the State Government will take a stand based on the importance of the east coast of Sabah as a marine habitat. A huge amount is now being invested for activities in these areas, including through the national Budget for 2011,” he said in a statement issued by Green SURF.
Wong said there was too much anxiety at present over the proposed plant, especially among members of the public who have been in touch with the coalition.
“The public is asking for the State to focus on developing energy from renewable and green sources,” Wong said.
He said the power shortage problem in Sabah was still serious, and that too much time has been wasted on plans for a controversial coal plant, which has seen proposed sites shifting three times.
Wong said a recent speech made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on the need to make a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy as a way to create a firm foundation for a greener economy was in line with calls made by Green SURF.
Wong said the Renewable Energy Policy and Action Plan, and a dedicated statutory body called the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA Malaysia), must swing into work quickly.
He said the construction of a 300 megawatt Combined-Cycle Gas Power Plant in Kimanis as announced in the recent Budget must be expedited to increase electricity generation to meet rising demand.
The Budget also listed pioneer status and investment tax allowance for the generation of electricity from renewable sources and energy efficiency activities to be extended until Dec 31, 2015 and the implementation of a feed in tariff mechanism under the Renewable Energy Act to allow electricity generated by individuals and independent providers to be sold to electricity utility companies.
“This is not the time to just talk, but to do something. We are glad that better feed in tariffs are being considered for implementation. Such initiatives are needed for investors to take up renewable energy projects.
“The Government has to make it attractive for the private sector to play a role in developing green energy,” Wong said.
Green SURF comprises the Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA) of which Wong is president, Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP), WWF-Malaysia, Partners of Community Organisations (PACOS) and the Malaysian Nature Society (Sabah branch).
KOTA KINABALU (25th October 2010): A coalition of non-governmental organisations here wants the Government to take a stand on the status of a proposed coal-fired power plant in Lahad Datu.
The request from Green SURF (Sabah Unite to Re-Power the Future) comes two months after the federal Department of Environment (DOE) rejected the Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment report for the 300 megawatt project.
Green SURF’s Mr Wong Tack said the coalition was still waiting for a decision on whether the project will continue.
“We would like to know the stand of the authorities, in particular the Sabah Government. Green SURF wrote to the Sabah Government over three weeks ago, but we have yet to get feedback.
“We hope the State Government will take a stand based on the importance of the east coast of Sabah as a marine habitat. A huge amount is now being invested for activities in these areas, including through the national Budget for 2011,” he said in a statement issued by Green SURF.
Wong said there was too much anxiety at present over the proposed plant, especially among members of the public who have been in touch with the coalition.
“The public is asking for the State to focus on developing energy from renewable and green sources,” Wong said.
He said the power shortage problem in Sabah was still serious, and that too much time has been wasted on plans for a controversial coal plant, which has seen proposed sites shifting three times.
Wong said a recent speech made by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on the need to make a transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy as a way to create a firm foundation for a greener economy was in line with calls made by Green SURF.
Wong said the Renewable Energy Policy and Action Plan, and a dedicated statutory body called the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA Malaysia), must swing into work quickly.
He said the construction of a 300 megawatt Combined-Cycle Gas Power Plant in Kimanis as announced in the recent Budget must be expedited to increase electricity generation to meet rising demand.
The Budget also listed pioneer status and investment tax allowance for the generation of electricity from renewable sources and energy efficiency activities to be extended until Dec 31, 2015 and the implementation of a feed in tariff mechanism under the Renewable Energy Act to allow electricity generated by individuals and independent providers to be sold to electricity utility companies.
“This is not the time to just talk, but to do something. We are glad that better feed in tariffs are being considered for implementation. Such initiatives are needed for investors to take up renewable energy projects.
“The Government has to make it attractive for the private sector to play a role in developing green energy,” Wong said.
Green SURF comprises the Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA) of which Wong is president, Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP), WWF-Malaysia, Partners of Community Organisations (PACOS) and the Malaysian Nature Society (Sabah branch).
The Government is proposing to build a coal-fired power plant at this location in Kampung Sinakut, Lahad Datu. The area forms part of the Coral Triangle and the Sulu-Sulawesi Marine Ecoregion.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
10/10/10: Green SURF Joins Thousands Worldwide for Climate Solutions
Press Release
KOTA KINABALU (3rd October 2010): A Sabah event to raise awareness on climate change and renewable energy joins over 5,200 Global Work Parties that will be carried out worldwide on Oct 10 to push for a cut in carbon dioxide emissions.
KOTA KINABALU (3rd October 2010): A Sabah event to raise awareness on climate change and renewable energy joins over 5,200 Global Work Parties that will be carried out worldwide on Oct 10 to push for a cut in carbon dioxide emissions.
Green SURF (Sabah Unite to Re-Power the Future), which has seen growing support from individuals who want clean energy, is holding events at the Tanjung Aru beach here and in Kampung Sinakut, Lahad Datu, ground zero for a proposed 300 megawatt coal-fired power plant.
The coalition of non-governmental organisations registered its Borneo-Global Work Party: Coast2Coast with 350.org, an international grassroots campaign aimed at mobilizing people to bring carbon dioxide emissions back down to and below the scientifically-determined safe level of 350 parts per million (ppm), from the current 390ppm level.
Green SURF’s Ms. Cynthia Ong said that being part of the worldwide network with more than 5,200 events in 175 countries is significant for Sabah, combining local efforts and coming together globally to fight dirty energy and promote clean energy.
“We are changing the energy conversation and we are excited to be part of a global climate change movement with 350.org,” Ong said in a statement issued by Green SURF today.
Green SURF members will work alongside the people of Kota Kinabalu and Kampung Sinakut to collect trash at both locations and spell out “350” on the beach. A local recycling plant will take the trash when the event ends.
Ong said the two beaches were chosen as venues to highlight their vulnerability to rising sea levels resulting from climate change.
She said the event that starts at 10.10am is also a platform to celebrate the first anniversary of the founding of Green SURF which has in a short span strengthened the civil society movement to address energy and related environmental and social justice issues.
“Our initial focus was on mobilizing around the coal-fired power plant issue in the east coast of Sabah and advocating for clean energy options. Within a year, we held numerous events, produced a clean energy options for Sabah report and built both local and global movements to support our campaign.
“The civil society voice is crucial for accountability and we want and need to be an integral part of the conversation; a civil society taking ownership and responsibility is a sign of an evolving society. We intend to stay, we intend to engage and we intend to influence,” she said.
Green SURF is made up of Land Empowerment Animals People (LEAP) of which Ong is Executive Director, WWF Malaysia, Sabah Environmental Protection Association (SEPA), Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Sabah branch and Partners of Community Organisations (PACOS).
The five NGOs came together after the Federal Government announced the construction of a coal plant at Kampung Sinakut, at the shores of the Coral Triangle.
In mid August, the federal Department of Environment rejected the Detailed Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed project.
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