PERAI, September 17 – Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) today launched the Penang Electricity Supply Strengthening Project through the fourth transmission line, which is capable of supplying up to 2,000 megawatts (MW) directly from the National Grid in the mainland Peninsula to the Pearl Island. The transmission system through the 275kV overhead transmission line as far as 8.5 kilometers, will be stretched parallel to Penang’s first bridge using 31 single towers (monopoles), connecting the Main Input Substation (PMU) of the Perai Power Station (SJ) to The Light PMU, which will be built in the Northeast District near Batu Uban Army Camp.
The Chief Minister of Penang, Chow Kon Yeow in his speech said that the supply strengthening project is something that the people of Penang have been waiting for as a catalyst for the development of the state as a whole, in line with the Penang2030 Vision – A Smart and Green State Based on Families Inspired by the Nation which has been comprehensively outlined , complete and comprehensive.
“We can plan carefully, strategize for giant projects even once, but it cannot be achieved without sufficient and stable energy supply.
This is the role played by TNB with the implementation of the project today,” he said while launching the project. The three existing electricity supply transmissions to the island are through the 132kV submarine cable from SJ Prai – SJ Gelugor which began work in 1978; 132kV cable under the bridge (1989) and 275kV submarine cable from PMU Juru – PMU Bayan Lepas (1995), alongside SJ Gelugor. The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said, it is very appropriate to implement this overhead line project, which has a much higher electricity transmission capacity compared to the method of under-bridge cables and submarine cables.
It is capable of sending 2,000MW of supply from SJ Perai to PMU The Light depending on the load demand in the island area. He said the project worth more than RM500 million will ensure the people and investors in Penang continue to receive stable and reliable electricity supply, as demand is expected to increase in line with post-pandemic economic recovery. “Maintaining the stability of this supply will be a catalyst for economic growth in various fields including industry, infrastructure development, transport and tourism.
In fact, this transmission line itself has become a tourist attraction with six of its 31 towers having an iconic betel nut-shaped design,” he said. He spoke at the launch ceremony here, which was officiated by the Chief Minister of Penang, Chow Kon Yeow. Also present, the President and Chief Executive Officer of TNB, Dato’ Indera Ir. Baharin Din and Chief Grid Officer of TNB, Datuk Ir. Husaini Husin and Members of the State Assembly and Members of the Penang State House of Representatives.
Based on the construction phase of this project, land investigation works have been carried out around February until July 2022. The next phase is the planting of piles in the sea. The installation of towers and followed by the works of stretching the conductor which is expected to start in early October 2022, with The entire project is expected to be completed in 2024. This project aims to ensure that the capacity of the existing supply system is not affected when the only power station (SJ) in Penang which is SJ Gelugor with a generation capacity of 300MW which is scheduled to end its service contract at the end of 2024.
Based on TNB records, the peak load demand in Penang once reached 777.85MW which was recorded in January 2020 compared to the existing supply system capacity (firm capacity) of 1,130 MW. The 8.5km overhead line project that will connect the Main Input Substation (PMU) of the Perai Power Station (SJ) to The Light PMU in Penang will be built parallel to the Penang bridge. There are 27 towers in the sea and 4 towers on land involving 6 iconic towers while the rest are monopole towers. This iconic tower was designed by T.R Hamzah & Yeang with inspiration from the betel nut design.
