MELAKA: Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has inked a coal import settlement with Indonesia’s coal exporters, involving imports value US$3 billion (US$1=RM4.37) for 3 years.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan stated the settlement is geared toward making certain enough coal provide in order that TNB’s electrical energy provide to the nation is just not disrupted.
ALSO READ: TNB remains cautious about higher coal prices
He stated the contract worth had elevated from US$2.3 billion final yr because of the sharp enhance within the worth of coal.
“In January this yr, the Indonesian authorities introduced the non permanent suspension of coal exports to satisfy its home demand, however about 65 per cent of TNB’s coal requirement is imported from Indonesia.
“However, final week, TNB’s prime administration and I went to Indonesia to satisfy with the coal exporters and signed an settlement to import coal from there for the subsequent three years as a result of we’ve good relations with them,” he stated.
ALSO READ: TNB forays into international offshore wind market
He stated this to reporters after the opening ceremony of TNB’s Melaka Tower, held on the Ayer Keroh International Trade Center right here in the present day.
The occasion was officiated by the Yang Dipertua Negeri Melaka, Tun Mohd Ali Rustam. Also current was Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.
Takiyuddin stated other than Indonesia, TNB additionally imported coal from different international locations resembling Russia and South Africa however at a a lot smaller quantity.
He stated in an effort to scale back the nation’s dependence on coal to generate electrical energy, TNB is regularly transitioning to include renewable vitality resembling photo voltaic and hydro in addition to exploring using hydrogen for a similar objective.
ALSO READ: TNB to focus on technology partnerships
“So that is a part of TNB’s motion plan to make sure that our nation’s electrical energy provide is steady, dependable, reasonably priced and doesn’t burden the folks.
“So far, electrical energy customers in our nation take pleasure in a reasonably steady billing as a result of the federal government nonetheless offers a rebate of two sen per kilowatt hour whereas some international locations would apply a surcharge,” he stated.
Earlier in his speech, Takiyuddin stated TNB’s steady efforts to modernise the nationwide grid have been profitable because the nation’s System Average Interruption Duration Index was lowered from 150 minutes in 2002 to 45.25 minutes in 2021.
He stated these enhancements made Malaysia’s electrical energy grid among the finest within the area, placing TNB on par with utility suppliers in developed international locations, including that the achievement was underpinned by the excessive technology reserve margins and a dependable grid system.
“This transmission community additionally permits environment friendly vitality provide to all load centres and additional reduces the danger of blackouts,” he stated. – Bernama
