Malaysia’s first geothermal plant set to start operations by June 2018
Drilling rig on site at Apas Kiri project, Malaysia (source: Tawau Green Energy)
Alexander Richter
5 Aug 2016
Malaysia's first geothermal power plant is expected to start operation by June 2018. The Apas Kiri 30 MW project is developed by Tawau Green Technology.
The Apas Kiri in the Sabah east coast district in Malaysia is expected to be operational by June 2018, as reported locally.
The project is set to have an installed capacity of 30 MW and will be feeding its electricity into the grid of Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd. under a feed-in-tariff scheme.
It will be Malaysia’s first geothermal power plant. It is developed by Tawau Green Technology Sdn Bhd, will use energy generated from an active geothermal system centred around dead volcano Mount Maria in Apas Kiri, Tawau, where drilling has reached a depth of 1,449 metres.
“As of today, two geothermal well pads are completed, and the third well pad is under construction. The geothermal power plant is scheduled to achieve commercial operation by June 2018.
“Once operational, Malaysia will rank 16th in the world in geothermal energy generation,” said Ongkili in his speech during a briefing session for the plant here today.
He said that the continuous growth of renewable energy in Sabah has the potential to enhance electricity supply in the state and enable it to work towards its pledge to reduce carbon emission by 45 per cent by 2030 made during COP21, or the United Nations Climate Change Conference last year.
“Geothermal power has the potential to contribute to the energy balancing market and this will be important when variable renewable energy like solar and wind increases in the energy mix,” he said.
The plant in Tawau is estimated to cost some RM600 million ($136 million) total investment with an initial grant of RM35 million ($8 million) from the federal government.
Power from the plant will be sold to SESB via 132KV interconnections to the grid under a 21-year renewable energy power purchase agreement. The plant is also expected to offset some 200,000 tonnes of CO² emissions annually.
Source: Malay Mail Online
