Pemandu to review Tenaga’s gas shortage
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 — A new taskforce will review national power company Tenaga’s gas shortage, said President and CEO Datuk Seri Che Khalib Mohd Noh.
It will be led by Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu), and will have the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) in it.
Che Khalib told Bernama Online that the decision was made on Monday, and that Pemandu will meet Petronas, Tenaga and other industry players.
Tenaga wants Pemandu to come up with a solution to the supply problem before the end of October, said Che Khalib.
Tenaga’s problems are said to be both volume and price.
Che Khalib said that it was risky for the sector to operate without enough gas, and this might force them to alternative fuel which would cost five times more.
He was speaking to media at the International Energy Regulatory Forum yesterday.
He added that there was uncertainty on who would foot the bill for increased fuel costs, whether it will be Tenaga, Petronas or other players.
Che Khalib said in response to a question that there were no present indications that electricity tariff will go down.
In regards to the 1000MW coal-fired power plant project in Perak’s Manjung, he said that Tenaga will launch a bond at the end of October to raise RM5 billion.
The plant, ready in March 2015 using highly efficient supercritical technology, is expected to cater for future demand since there is an increase in electricity demand annually, according to the CEO.
