Fast Facts on Sabah’s Power Issues

by GreenSURF

How much power do we have?

• We officially have about 785 Mega Watts (MW) on the books, however in reality the dependable capacity is about 712 MW while the maximum demand is about 675 MW.

If that is the case why do we have power failures? These figures indicate we have enough supply at the moment?

• Because the reality of the situation is that our supply of electricity is inefficient due to age and lack of maintenance.
• It is estimated that they are running at 40% capacity at present!

Do we need a coal-fired power plant?

• ABSOLUTELY NOT!
• We have alternative energy solutions which were identified in the Sabah Energy Masterplan, this plan identifies hydro projects as a source of electricity generation and does not focus on coal at all.
• For hydro, Liwagu and Upper Padas were identified and feasibily studies and an Environmental Impact Assessments for the Upper Padas is being carried out, these projects just need to be fast tracked!
• Liwagu and Upper Padas would both generate 190 MW each!
• Also note that unlike the proposed Kaiduan hydro scheme which would drown out seven villages both Liwagu and Upper Padas would not and have been in the planning far longer than the coal fired power plant.
• Sabah has it’s OWN natural gas and if the Kimanis Natural Gas plant is fast-tracked we will have capacity of 300 MW, remember even the coal-fire power plant will take a minimum of three years to be built so why not Kimanis Natural Gas or Liwagu or Upper Padas?
• Hydro will come under the purview of the State whereas coal-fired power plant is under the purview at the Federal level.
• Another IPP called Rainhill in Sepanggar is scheduled to generate 190 MW (60 MW by April 2010).
• So the question should be, if we have this “cleaner” alternatives and we still have to wait for three years for the coal-fired power plants how does this solve our electricity issues? Which option could people, wildlife and nature of Sabah live with?

Let’s talk about renewable energies such as using palm oil empty fruit bunches, why can’t we just use this for a power source, after all Sabah is the number one producer of Malaysian palm oil?

• The first and major hurdle to any sort of renewable energy is the fact that the Malaysian Government has a policy in place that limits the amount of power that can be produce by using renewable energy!
• The Malaysian electricity legislation does not allow you to completely “go off the grid”.
• The same legislation limits the production of electricity via renewable sources to only 10 MW and their sell back price to the grid is lower than other power sources.
• Does, this make sense? A coal-fired power plant can produce 300 MW but a cleaner (and even cheaper as the source is located here unlike coal) may only produce 10 MW!
• Following the Prime Minister’s 2010 Budget speech which focussed on green technologies, the Federal Government needs to immediately review these types of outdated policies that are not good for the environment and makes absolutely no sense especially in Sabah for reasons described in number 5 below.

Tenaga National Berhad (TNB) who owns 80% of Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd has repeatedly stated that they make no money from Sabah and that Sabah is part of their Social Corporate Responsibility, so why not let SESB and Sabah proceed with hydro and gas which Sabah has ample resources off? Maybe Sabah should work on certain areas being off the?

• We cannot answer this simple question, only TNB can.
• Once again, we note that hydro is under State purview and coal-fired power plant under Federal purview.

RM500 million was spent to do the Sabah grid which was completed in 2007. The head of TNB, Leo Moggie has stated that once the Sabah grid was completed Sabah would not have power problems. And now, he says once Sabah has a coal-fired power plant, Sabah will have no power problems…

• We as people living in this State should have the right to decide for ourselves!

The current identified location of the coal-fired plant is to the East of Lahad Datu township on the Dent Peninsula.

• FELDA who owns the land where the coal-fired power plant is to be located has been in the area since the 1980s, yet the local community have NEVER benefited as they still lack power supply (there is power to run the palm oil mills) and no access to fresh water (they rely on rain and ground water).
• This place has beautiful beaches and previous studies have already shown that the waters of this coastline is abundant with fish stocks and other marine life. And now even this access to abundant fish stocks is at risk for the locals once a coal-fired power plant begins operation and affects not only air quality but also water quality.
• An estimated RM400 million is needed for infrastructure alone with another RM200 million such to pull the grid to this area!

Five NGOs in Sabah cement anti-coal lobby efforts

Joe Fernandez reported that five leading NGOs came together to form a coalition called Green Surf, or Sabah Unite to Re-Power the Future to help present positive ideas and contributions to solve Sabah's energy woes.

“They are Leap (Land Empowerment People and Animals), Pacos Trust (Partners of Community Organisations), Sepa (Sabah Environment Protection Association), the Malaysian Nature Society Sabah Branch, and the WWF-Malaysia (Worldwide Fund for Nature), Sabah chapter.”

Effects of Coal Burning

The world is investing too much cash and hope in carbon capture and storage.

"FACTORIES of death" is how James Hansen, a crusading American scientist, describes power stations that burn coal. Coal is the dirtiest of fossil fuels, producing twice the carbon dioxide that natural gas does when it is burned. That makes it a big cause of global warming.

WWF objects coal-fired power plant

Meanwhile, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Malaysia will object to the setting up of a coal-fired power plant no matter where the location is in Sabah.

The organisation's first public statement on the issue was made by WWF Malaysia Borneo Programme Director, Dr Rahimatsah Amat, at a luncheon with the media in Centre Point Sabah, Tuesday, 16th June, 2009.

"As far as coal is concerned, our (WWF-Malaysia) stand is clearÉthere should be no coal-fired power plant in Sabah," he said.

Sign your Petition HERE

Fund Raising Dinner by INTI College Students netted RM5,000.00

Some of the Organizing Committee

Standing (L) Victoria O. Cardenas (R) Victoria J. Ongkili

Seated (L) Pang Fui San (R) Michelle Wong

Fabulous MC Adelaide Cornellius as he was introdusing the Main Organizing Committee.

Dr. Alan Lim, INTI College Academic Dean, watering the potted plant to symbolise the function theme "Nurture Nature For The Future" witnessed by Datuk John Sikayun, Batholomew Jingulam, Freddy Ekol, Sylvester Motulis and Ms Sherylnn James.

The VIP Guests Table attended to by the MC Adelaide Cornellius (Blue Shirt)

Batholomew, John and Freddy witnessing the watering of the "Feng Shui" plant.

Ms Mary Sherylnn James, the Organizing Chairperson, delivering her welcoming address.

Kota Kinabalu March 29, 2009: The Fund Raising Dinner organised by the final year 2009 students of the Diploma in Tourism Management from INTI College at one of the well-known Sea Food Restaurant in Kota Kinabalu last night far exceeded the INTI College Academic Dean’s expectation. It was well patronised by about 250 diners and well wishers including invited VIP guests.

I was one of the invited guests in the VIP Table and, on the insistence of my fellow VIP guest, agreed to sing a popular Chinese song entitled “Yue Liang Dai Piau Wo De Xing” meaning “My heart represents the Moon”. Perhaps most of the diners present were surprised by the fact that I am a Kadazan and yet I could render a Chinese song for the purpose of fund raising.

In the name of Charity, the organizers managed to collect from the enthralled guests who generously donated totalling RM1,500.00, thus raising the organizers’ total Nett collection of RM5,000.00 during this function in aid of WWF.

The students were given a task to carry out a management project from which they would be assessed – a requirement from the College Board of Examiners for the final year students to qualify themto pass their final examination and for the award of the Diploma Certificates in Tourism.

How apt it was for them to choose this Fund Raising Dinner as their final project. The project itself was not only related to Tourism industry but also to assist the WWF, a non-profit and non-governmental organization, in its effort to carry its various global conservation projects.

The Organizing Chairperson, Ms Mary Sherylnn James, together with more than 20 of her fellow final year students, had barely one month to organize the function timely to coincide with the Earth Hour which was observed globally on 28^th March from 8.30pm – 9.30pm local time.

The function was launched by the INTI College Academic Dean, Dr. Alan Lim by symbolically watering a potted plant (see pix) in reflection of the function theme, “Nurture Nature For our Future”.

The function would not have been so successful if not for the mastery of the MC, Mr. Adelaide Cornellius who was appointed by the event advisor cum Head of the Program, Mr. Sylvester Motulis. 

Notable VIP guests at the function were Datuk Marcel Leiking, President of Kadazan Society Sabah; Datuk John Sikayun, President of Sabah Law Society; Datuk Lawrence Sinsua, a prominent KL based businessman; Batholomew Jingulam, KSS SG; Freddy Ekol, a prominent local based businessman as well as KSS VP; and yours truly.

Flick your switch off to observe Earth Hour.

Do you want to show you care about energy conservation? Simply switch off your lights tonight, March 28 2009 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., local time. Don’t wait for SESB to switch off the power supply; they will do it for you at odd times not according to scheduled Earth Hour. This is Earth Hour, and Saturday is the third annual worldwide event. Millions of homes and businesses and hundreds of major landmarks will go dark for one hour to show that energy conservation is important and to send this message to political leaders attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in December 2009. At the same time, Earth Hour reminds each of us how easy it is to conserve -- just turn off non-essential lights and electronics to reduce our own power consumption. Some famous buildings will be going dark on Saturday including: The Empire State Building in New York City, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the St. Louis Gateway Arch, the Sydney Opera House, the Sears Tower in Chicago, Seattle's Space Needle, the Great Pyramids and Sphinx in Egypt, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, and Broadway theatre marquees in New York City. Malaysia is also observing the Earth Hour but it is not known yet whether the Petronas Twin Tower will go dark tonight for one hour from 8.30pm. Earth Hour is both a symbolic act and the start of a practical habit to conserve energy.And during Earth Hour, what will most participants use for illumination? Candles. The Earth Hour website is filled with announcements – from New Zealand to Hong Kong to Serbia – of restaurants hosting candlelit dinners and clubs holding candlelit acoustic concerts, along with lots of tips on what to do at home during the electricity-free hour, which includes taking a candlelit bath or playing board games by candlelight. Check out some of the recommended tips for saving energy in and around the house all year round. How to save energy around the house From shutting down the electronics and picking up a book (gasp!) to closing your curtains at the right time, here are 21 simple things you can do to save energy, and cash, in your home. What's wasting energy in your home right now A gentle reminder -- with specifics -- to get up and unplug appliances you're not using. Keeping cool indoors If you don't have air conditioning -- or if you want to keep your power bill from going gangbusters -- you still can lower the temperature inside your house or apartment. Greening your home in the right order There is an important order to the steps each of us can take to make a difference. How low can you go? Saving energy while washing the dishes is as easy as pushing a button.