By HARIZAH KAMEL

TENAGA Nasional Bhd’s (TNB) subsidiary, Jimah East Power Sdn Bhd (JEP), commenced its commercial operation date (COD) on Dec 27, 2019.

With the powering up of its second coal-fired power plant, TNB has reinforced Peninsular Malaysia’s power supply to 25,981 megawatts (MW) from the 24,138MW achieved in December 2017.

“The development of JEP in Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, took 49 months since construction started in 2015,” the power utility company said in a statement yesterday.

TNB’s first 1,000MW power plant achieved its COD earlier on Aug 22 this year.

JEP comprises two units that are strategically located with a combined 2,000MW in generational capacity. It is expected to increase the utility provider’s contribution to the country’s power grid from 51.8% to 53.2%.

The two-unit power plant utilises ultra-supercritical (USC) technology, an efficient coal-burning technology with 40% efficiency compared to conventional coal-fired power plants, which have a 36% efficiency.

The opening of both plants is also foreseen to benefit the local community and increase employment rates by creating business and employment opportunities.

TNB, Malaysia’s largest utility provider, currently holds a 70% stake in JEP, while Mitsui & Co Ltd and The Chugoku Electric Power Co Ltd each own 15%.

Apart from JEP, the two other coal-fired plants owned by TNB and are using USC are Manjung 4 and Manjung 5, located in the group’s Sultan Azlan Shah Power Station in Lumut, Perak.

Owned and operated by TNB Janamanjung Sdn Bhd (TNBJ), Manjung 4 utilises the latest USC combustion technology.

The power supplied by Manjung 4 boosted the generating capability of TNBJ to 3,100MW and turned the company into Peninsular Malaysia’s largest independent power producer (IPP) to date.

Manjung 4, according to TNB’s website, is the most efficient power plant in South-East Asia. It also achieved 94.5% availability over its first two years of operations.

TNB has several core business divisions namely generation, grid, distribution network and retail.

According to the group’s 2018 annual report, the total domestic generating capacity stands at 10,917.53MW for its wholly owned power plants in Peninsular Malaysia.

The generation division is a key component of electricity production and is entrusted to operate and maintain TNB’s portfolio of power generating assets, comprising thermal generation facilities and major hydro-generation schemes in Peninsular Malaysia.

Additionally, it also supports the operations and maintenance of six IPPs.