Deputy Prime Minister Launches TNB's Skudai Main Intake Substation

26/11/2007

- Skudai main intake substation is the main hub of power distribution to Johor Bahru, in particular Iskandar Development Region (IDR) - TNB sets up Special Team to support IDR with reliable power supply and technical expertise - Utility giant puts aside RM860 million for upgrading and maintenance of its Transmission and Distribution facilities within Johor up till 2009 - Projects for upgrades and installations to enhance electricity supply systems for IDR expected to require investments of over RM980 million Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) celebrated yet another milestone with the officiating launch of its latest main intake substation (Pencawang Masuk Utama / PMU) by the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Haji Tun Abdul Razak in Skudai, Johor on Friday, 23 November 2007. The substation, which is a critical component of the country’s National Grid, will now serve as a 275 kV (kilovolt) injection source of electricity to the city of Johor Bahru and its surrounding areas. The station currently serves electricity loads for key locations including the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) campus and Taman Teknologi Johor. In his speech at the launching ceremony at the substation, the Dato’ Sri Najib said that the location of the substation was pivotal due to its location within Skudai, the centre hub for strategic development in Johor Bharu. Skudai is located within the centre of Johor’s most ambitious development project, the Iskandar Development Region (IDR). ‘Skudai and the new development of Nusajaya is a landmark or main flagship for the IDR, which one of Johor’s most critical development projects, and consequently also for Malaysia,’ said Dato’ Sri Najib. The DPM also said TNB’s expertise for the infrastructural developments within the IDR and Johor in general would support investors and industrial and commercial consumers within the region to grow in competitiveness at both national and international levels, in turn giving greater returns to the country. TNB Chairman Tan Sri Datuk Amar Leo Moggie said that the company realised its important responsibility in ensuring the success of the IDR development goals. ‘TNB has therefore set up a dedicated team to support in its infrastructure planning by strengthening the planning and coordination of TNB projects and operations within the IDR.’ According to Tan Sri Leo, the team would also be responsible as mediator and one-stop-centre for issues regarding supply of electricity. The Skudai Main Intake Substation was first commissioned way back in 1981. In a span of over 15 years, the substation has grown through changes and improvements, in which rehabilitation works were carry out in three different phases. These included the installation of 132/33 kV 90MVA transformers and the installation of capacitor banks for voltage security. TNB has spent approximately RM92.3 million on the works on the substation. Tan Sri Leo also mentioned that from the years 2004 to 2007, the national utility giant had spent a total of RM1,150.6 million to upgrade its assets. The cost was expected to increase with the increasing plans for infrastructural development. ‘TNB will continue to give our full commitment to ensure the reliability of our systems and power supply services in order to fulfil the needs of the country,’ added Tan Sri Leo. He said that the developments within Johor, in particular the city of Johor Bahru, would require TNB’s Transmission and Distribution Divisions to upgrade the security of their assets and system. For this purpose, the company has planned for an investment of over RM860 million, up to the year 2009. ‘Included also in TNB’s 10-year plan are several infrastructure upgrading projects to further strengthen the electricity supply systems in the Iskandar Development Region. The projects already identified have been estimated to require additional investments of over RM980 million,’ said Tan Sri Leo. Tan Sri Leo later joined DPM Dato’ Sri Najib to watch the signing ceremony of an MoU between TNB and the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA). They were joined by the Chief Minister of Johor Bahru, Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman and Deputy Minister of Energy, Water & Communications Dato’ Shaziman bin Abu Mansor. Signing on behalf of the national utility was its TNB President / Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Che Khalib Mohamad Noh, and for IRDA was IRDA Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Ikmal Hijaz Hashim. They were witnessed by TNB Vice President for Distribution, Dato’ Ir. Aishah bt. Dato’ Hj. Abdul Rauf and IRDA Senior Vice President, Ismail bin Ibrahim.