Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) will develop another direct connection of electricity supply from Grid Nasional to Penang through overhead line transmission from the mainland of the Peninsula, to maintain the stability of electricity supply in Pulau Mutiara in the future.
The 8.5km monopole transmission tower project, which will connect the Perai Power Station (SJ) Main Inlet Substation (PMU) to The Light PMU in Penang, was built in parallel with the Penang bridge and is the second of its kind in the country.
TNB’s Chief Grid Officer, Datuk Ir Husaini Husin said, the project to strengthen electricity supply in Penang cost more than RM500 million, is expected to be completed by the end of 2024 and will be an iconic landmark of Penang through a unique transmission line tower with a betel nut design.
According to him, the project ensures that the capacity of the existing supply system is not affected when the only power station (SJ) on the island, SJ Gelugor with a generating capacity of 300MW, is scheduled to end its service contract at the end of 2024.
“Peak load demand on this island once reached 777.85MW recorded in January 2020 compared to the existing supply system capacity (firm capacity) of 1,130 MW. We want to ensure this capacity is stable when SJ Gelugor ends his service,” he explained.
TNB’s first monopoly overhead line project has been completed along 4.2km connecting Pantai Siring to Pulau Besar Melaka, and land survey work for this second project is being carried out in the sea area near the Penang Bridge.
He added that all the activities of this project that will be carried out will not have a negative impact on the environment as the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study has been conducted in detail and approved by the Department of Environment.
It is part of TNB’s ongoing investment in developing and modernizing the National Grid into a stable and reliable smart grid in meeting the country’s energy transition needs.
The reinvestment from TNB’s business results is a two-pronged approach, namely ensuring the efficiency and reliability of the electricity supply network for customers to enjoy, as well as creating activities that inject into the country’s economic recovery, especially in the post-COVID-19 pandemic.
When completed, it will be the fourth line connecting the National Grid to Penang. The previous three lines were the 132kV submarine cable from SJ Prai – SJ Gelugor which was commissioned in 1978; 132kV submarine cable (1989) and 275kV submarine cable from PMU Juru – PMU Bayan Lepas (1995).
According to Husaini, the monopole line transmission method is the most sustainable solution to channel supplies from the National Grid to the island by taking into account aspects of cost reasonableness, safety, efficiency and supply stability including in terms of speed of detecting any damage or disruption.
“All these elements make the implementation of this project also translate TNB’s commitment to the ESG agenda (environment, social and governance). In fact, the construction of towers in the water will not have an impact on traffic on the Penang bridge, ”he said.
Husaini said the Ministry of Finance and the Penang State Government approved the overhead line project according to TNB’s plan based on the projected demand for electricity supply in Penang until 2030.
‘Physical works which include the construction of the tower foundation, installation of tower structures, as well as conductor spanning works, are expected to begin at the end of 2022,’ he explained.
