Malaysia’s Power Trading Moves Forward With Electricity Exports To West Kalimantan

KUALA LUMPUR, May 11 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s power trading has moved a step forward following the commissioning of the Kalimantan Barat (Kalbar)-Sarawak 275kv Interconnection in West Kalimantan, providing power supply to the people of the Indonesian province. Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Dr Maximus Ongkili said the Bengkayang Substation in West Kalimantan was the first such power trading for Malaysia and a model which could be pursued by ASEAN member states. He said since it began operations on Jan 21 this year, the substation and its circuit had been supplying about 70 megawatts of power as of May 9 to West Kalimantan and the surrounding areas. "Both the Malaysian and Indonesian teams are proud to be able to execute this long awaited dream of power trading between the two neighbouring countries," he said in a statement Wednesday. The substation started construction in 2013 after Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB) Chief Executive Officer Torstein Sjotveit and PT PLN (Indonesian state-owned electricity company) President Director Nur Pamudji signed a power exchange agreement detailing the export of electricity from east Malaysian state of Sarawak to West Kalimantan. To ensure the smooth development of the project, both countries set up a joint technical committee to expedite the process of power trading. "After numerous trial tests, the Bengkayang Substation is now working very well and the people of West Kalimantan have been enjoying electricity since early this year," Ongkili, who is on a working visit to Pontianak, said. On other developments, he said the Melaka-Sumatera power line project was in progress, while the Nunukan (East Kalimantan)-Tawau interconnection was still at the planning stage. Ongkili expressed confidence that the two power projects between Malaysia and Indonesia would also succeed following the commissioning of the Kalbar-Sarawak 275kv Interconnection. Hence, the long-planned ASEAN Power Grid project is not an impossible dream to achieve, he added. "SEB and PT PLN have already proven that power trading between countries could be done successfully despite concerns over technical standards, grid stability and tariff pricing," Ongkili said. He said the energy development was highly recommended as it comes from renewable energy resources which were sustainable and environmentally friendly. -- BERNAMA