PRAI POWER PLANT: A SYMBOL OF EXCELLENCE AND INNOVATION

By Karina Imran

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 1 (Bernama) -- Malakoff Corporation Bhd’s Prai Power Plant stands as a symbol of excellence and innovation in Malaysia’s energy sector.

The 350-megawatt combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plant with dual-fuel flexibility—natural gas being the main fuel and distillate oil as back-up fuel—achieved significant milestones, underscoring its pivotal role in the nation’s power generation landscape.

Malakoff's managing director and group chief executive officer Anwar Syahrin Abdul Ajib emphasised that as a CCGT power plant, Prai Power contributes to the nation’s ambition of net zero carbon emissions by 2050 in several ways.

Among others, it offers efficiency gains, as single-shaft combined-cycle power plants are known for their higher efficiency compared to traditional plants, producing less carbon dioxide per unit of electricity.

In addition, the gas turbines can start up and ramp up power quickly, making them ideal for balancing intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind.

“This flexibility can help integrate more renewables into the grid,” he said.

Moreover, hydrogen blending is a potential option. Malakoff said the gas turbines could potentially burn hydrogen blends, reducing carbon emissions.

“This could be a future pathway for Prai Power to contribute to decarbonisation until it reaches its lifecycle limit,” he added.

The plant completed six major scheduled outages in 2006, 2009/2010, 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2020 to ensure continuous and reliable operations.

These scheduled outages were critical to ensuring the equipment remained in optimal condition, thereby preventing unscheduled outages, enhancing the plant’s performance for improved output, and ensuring compliance with various regulatory requirements while mitigating safety risks to staff.

Although Prai Power ended its 21-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) on June 19, 2024, it soon embarked on a new journey in powering the nation as it received a letter of award from the Energy Commission on July 23 to start a new PPA for the next one-plus-one-year timeline.

This is crucial as Prai Power plays a significant role in supporting the country’s net zero target by 2050 and in supporting Malaysia’s energy security by ensuring a stable and affordable energy supply.

Compliance with Environmental Regulations

In terms of reducing its carbon footprint, Prai Power has implemented continuous improvements and upgrades for plant thermal efficiency.

“We ensure that the operational activities always comply with the applicable environmental requirements.

“To reduce pollution, Prai Power has various pollution control systems to treat the waste gases, liquid and scheduled waste produced from plant activities,” explained Anwar Syahrin.

Prai Power’s environmental facilities include a continuous emission monitoring system, an industrial effluent treatment system, and scheduled waste storage.

The plant also conducts an environmental monitoring programme to check compliance with legal and local requirements established in the Environmental Management System (EMS) ISO 14001.

To ensure a safe and environmentally friendly working environment for its employees, Prai Power actively supports the 3R (reduce, reuse, recycle) programme by providing comprehensive awareness training to all staff and contractors, ensuring effective waste management practices.

In collaboration with the Department of Environment (DoE), Prai Power hosted an environmental talk during Safety Week.

Annually, Prai Power allocates a dedicated budget for environmental initiatives, including a tree-planting programme in Seberang Prai.

“This programme aids in carbon sequestration, offsetting carbon dioxide emissions from the power plant, and improving air quality, thereby reducing the environmental impact of our operations.

“It also contributes to global reforestation efforts, helping to restore lost forests, repair damaged ecosystems, and mitigate climate change,” he added.

Contributing to the Community

The plant not only supports Malaysia’s net zero ambition but also makes a significant contribution to the local community, providing employment opportunities across a range of skill levels, from skilled and semi-skilled to unskilled workers.

In addition, it creates business opportunities through day-to-day contract work and major plant outages.

“This commitment is reflected in its corporate tagline of ‘Enhancing Life, Enriching Communities’, underscoring Malakoff’s dedication to improving the quality of life and positively impacting a broader community,” he added.

Furthermore, the plant extends zakat and corporate donations to nearby mosques, adopted schools, orphanages, and the underprivileged.

Prai Power has adopted three local schools: SJKC Chung Hwa 3, SJK Tamil Perai, and SK Khir Johari.

It also provides community services and donations to local institutions and mosques, including Pusat Dalam Komuniti in Juru, Perai, and Seberang Jaya; Masjid Jamek Perai; and Masjid Padang Lalang, Bukit Mertajam.

In collaboration with Masjid Jamek Perai, zakat was distributed to the underprivileged in the area.

Additionally, the plant’s subject matter specialists offer their expertise with local colleges, such as Politeknik Seberang Perai and UiTM Permatang Pauh, through lectures designed to impart knowledge and skills to students.

Malakoff highlighted that Prai Power has made a positive impact on both the corporation and the nation throughout its 21 years of operation.

-- BERNAMA