Malaysia: Borneo power grid close to reality

Malaysia: Borneo power grid close to reality

The Borneo Grid is a step closer towards becoming a reality with the
commissioning of the 275kV interconnection linking Mambong in Sarawak and
Bengkayang in West Kalimantan in January 2016.

This was highlighted at the 5th BIMP EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and
Philippines East Asean Growth Area) meeting for the Power and Energy
Infrastructure Cluster (PEIC) here yesterday.

"Congratulations to all involved in the implementation of our first
BIMP-EAGA interconnection project.

"Driven by private entities Sarawak Energy Berhad and PT PLN (Persero) and
with the strong support and backing of both governments, this is the first
power interconnection between the two member countries of BIMP-EAGA," said
Minister for Utilities Sarawak Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom in his keynote
address.

Recognised as a flagship project under BIMP-EAGA, the interconnection
provides for the transmission and sale of electricity between the two
states.

He said it builds the foundation for the realisation of the Borneo Grid
which can potentially be the catalyst for the expansion of socio economic
activities for both sides.

Dr Rundi believed it could also initiate harmonisation of the policy
environment and contribute towards materialising the greater Asean power
grid masterplan.

"With this, we can chart the future plans on how we can work together in
other areas for the mutual benefit of Sarawak and West Kalimantan, not just
for power export activities but also in the telecommunications sector as
well as the exchange of knowledge in similar challenges such as rural
electricity," Rundi added.

The successful pioneering of Sarawak-West Kalimantan interconnection he said
had established and implemented a power trading regime and provided the
model for future power grid interconnection.

Group chief executive officer of Sarawak Energy Sharbini Suhaili said since
the interconnection, Kalimantan Barat has displaced between 50MW to 130MW of
diesel power with electricity from Sarawak.

"We believe that this translates into cost savings as well as lower carbon
emissions for PLN and Kalbar, whom are our first export customer," he said.

He said about 75 per cent of Sarawak's energy are sourced from renewable
hydropower with the remaining 25 per cent from indigenous coal and gas
sources.

"Interconnection projects are widely implemented in developed countries to
enhance reliability for secured energy supply for most critical load system
and are widely regarded as beneficial to both parties.

"However, this can only be realised with the spirit of cooperation. The
challenges in the implementation of this project such as the different
electrical standards were resolved with the strong support and cooperation
from our PLN counterparts in West Kalimantan," Sharbini said.

He said this expands opportunities for Sarawak Energy on its journey towards
becoming a regional power hub for Asean.

"Currently Sarawak Energy is maturing discussion for interconnections with
our neighbours Sabah and Brunei Darussalam," Sharbini added.

PLN general manager Bima Putrajaya acknowledged that interconnection project
had improved the economic sectors in West Kalimantan.

"Since the implementation of this project, we are able to provide sufficient
power and has enabled the other sectors that require electricity to complete
their works within the time frame," Bima said, adding that PLN consumers are
benefiting from this collaboration.

He said this project has led to economic improvement in various sectors
especially those that relied on electricity power.

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Link to Original Article:
http://www.theborneopost.com/2017/07/27/borneo-power-grid-close-to-reality-d
r-rundi/

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John Diecker
APT Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

www.aptthailand.com