Keeping it clean: TNB Janamanjung is the peninsula’s largest independent power producer. (Inset) Shamsul says the use of environmentally friendly technology enables Manjung 4 to generate more power while complying with emission standards.
MANJUNG: Situated on a man-made island here, Manjung 4 is South-East Asia’s most efficient power plant to date.
Employing the latest gold standard for efficient coal-fired power stations such as the use of ultra-supercritical (USC) technology, the plant generates 1,000 megawatts of electricity at the site of the Sultan Azlan Shah Power Station.
Together with its sister plants Manjung 1, Manjung 2 and Manjung 3, all with a total capacity of 2,100 megawatts, the site now supplies 20% of the nation’s electricity.
Combined, the four plants have an installed capacity of 3,100 megawatts, making TNB Janamanjung Sdn Bhd the peninsula’s largest independent power producer.
TNB Janamanjung’s managing director Datuk Shamsul Ahmad said the use of USC technology enables Manjung 4 to convert energy more efficiently, burning less coal for more power while complying with emission standards.
The plant also meets stringent environmental standards set by the World Bank and the Malaysian Department of Environment (DOE).
This ensures that the cost of generating electricity is minimised and remains friendly to the environment and communities nearby, Shamsul said during a recent visit by selected foreign and local journalists to Manjung and Lekir Bulk Terminal.
According to Shamsul, construction of the first three plants started in 1998. There was initially some apprehension about the project among the communities surrounding the plants, but this soon dissipated through a series of engagement and awareness programmes conducted by TNB.
The community in Manjung now understands that technological advancement has allowed stringent emission standards to be employed at the plants.
Shamsul said the plants utilise clean coal combustion technology such as Pulverised Fuel Firing (PFF), Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD), Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP), low sulphur sub-bituminous grade coal, low nitrogen oxide burners and provision for high chimneys, which is 200m for exhaust gas.
“To make sure they are clean, we also installed continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMS) for all power plant units with monitoring parameters like smoke density, particulate, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide. These parameters are monitored online by DOE.
“We also have ambient air quality checks, air quality monitoring systems and acid air monitoring,” said Shamsul, adding that they also do effluence monitoring by treating industrial waste water treatment plants and coal yard waste water treatment plants.
They also use oily water separators to treat oily water and have ash ponds to store surplus fly and bottom ash.
GE Steam Power Systems Asia Pacific Regional Sales Leader Massimo Gallizioli, who was present during the media visit, said GE is not only there to provide the best technology in terms of performance, but it wants to make sure that it is compliant with the environment.
“Forty per cent of world energy comes from coal and we expect it to remain for a long time. Coal will remain an extremely important portion,” said Gallizioli.
“GE builds 30% of the world’s steam turbine capacity, as well as 30% of the world boilers for coal plants.
“Customers look for better performance, bigger reliability and emissions compliance. GE has the capability to put things together.
“This comes with global experience which we have built up over the last 100 years,” he added.
For Manjung 4, GE as the technology provider is leveraging on the plant as a reference for their upcoming projects, organising visits for potential clients.
On another note, Shamsul said the four plants have created employment and business opportunities for the people of Manjung.
Of TNB Janamanjung’s 566 staff members, 52% of them are from the state while 72% of them are from Manjung itself.
Shamsul said locals conduct all the operation and maintenance work at the power plants, and that there are only two foreign technical advisers.
“Our preference is for local vendors. We provide business opportunities to local workshops and suppliers. We have also provided job opportunities to about 300 contract staff.
“Higher education institutes also send their students here for industrial training, as we want to support the Government’s effort to develop a competent and knowledgeable workforce in the country,” he said.
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