PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s gas pipeline network plays a critical role in national industrialisation and energy efficiency, says corrosion specialist Kang Kim Ang.
Citing the Peninsular Gas Utilisation (PGU) project, a nationwide pipeline system developed by PETRONAS in the 1980s and 1990s, he said it was constructed to ensure the country’s growing energy needs were met in an efficient and sustainable manner.
“The PGU project was launched as part of a national strategy to industrialise and use gas more efficiently,” said Kang, who has over 30 years of experience in pipeline corrosion control.
“It ensured the energy demands of the country were met, especially by feeding natural gas into all major power stations at the time.”
In addition to powering power stations, the gas pipeline system evolved to meet the heating needs of Malaysia’s manufacturing sector, he said.
“From around 1993, lower-pressure gas was channelled to factories, especially those requiring consistent heating, such as ceramic manufacturers and bakeries,” Kang said. Beyond the industrial sector, gas pipelines also support district cooling systems, a technology used to provide central air conditioning to major buildings.
“Buildings such as KLCC, KLIA, Putrajaya and Cyberjaya rely on these pipelines to power their cooling systems,” he added.
He said transporting natural gas through pipelines remains far more efficient and cost-effective compared to using tankers.
Kang’s remarks come amid public interest in pipeline safety following Tuesday’s inferno.
