MALAYSIAN SABAH FIRM LOOKS TO BUILD MALAYSIA’S FIRST OCEAN POWER PLANT

 

KOTA KINABALU, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo ― Malaysia may soon be able to harness the power of the sea for electricity with new technology that is being jointly developed by a Sabah private company with a US partner.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili(photo) said studies are being conducted to test the possibilities of having the ocean-based plant either in the Straits of Malacca or in the waters between Labuan and Kuala Penyu off the coast of Sabah, where the tidal movement is most suitable.

“I also think that Kudat and Pulau Banggi has got good flow but this needs to be confirmed by the experts. It would be great to have it in Sabah where we really need the power,” Sabah-born Ongkili told reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the project here recently.

The MoU, between Tawau-based Green Power Solutions and US underwater power developer Current2Current International, kicks off a partnership to develop an ocean-based renewable energy source.

“This new prototype technology has the potential to be used worldwide, in any location that has an ocean current, is self contained and therefore, is portable. 

We are extremely proud that an internationally company such as C2C has chosen Malaysia and Sabah in particular to launch their first venture in Asean,” said Green Power Solutions business development 

director Reuben Lim.

• He said the 10-megawatt plant may be operational within a few years after thorough study is conducted.
• Putrajaya had previously announced a target of 5.5 per cent of its total electricity is to come from renewable energy (RE) sources by 2015.

With a new adopted definition of RE that includes all forms of renewable energy including hydro and off-grid renewable energy, Malaysia’s RE has jumped from under 2 per cent to 14 per cent.

“Malaysia has huge renewable energy potential and we should tap into these resources to ensure greater energy security and autonomy in the country. Sabah is exemplary with rich bioenergy resources from the palm oil industry, and can make sure of its high solar irradiance, and harness energy from rivers, wind and geothermal,” Ongkili said in his speech earlier.

He said the talk on ocean renewable energy technologies is consistent with the Government’s policy to explore all forms of sustainable energy.

Source: Malay Mail Online