Malaysia firm out to forge power deals in Mindanao

MANILA, Philippines–Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), the largest electric utility in Malaysia and the biggest power firm in Southeast Asia, is seeking to forge deals with power plant operators in Mindanao to further shore up the supply of electricity on the island.

The Embassy of Malaysia Trade Office (Matrade Manila) said that TNB Repair and Maintenance Sdn. Bhd. (TNB-Remaco), a wholly owned subsidiary of TNB, was already in talks with power firms in Mindanao to secure repair and maintenance service contracts.

This was on the back of an expected economic growth in Mindanao over the next several years—a development that may boost electricity demand, noted Mohamad Izharudin Ahmad Wahiddin, head of TNB Remaco business development and marketing Region II.

“We’re looking at the possibility of servicing power plants and other related energy industries. We’re looking at opportunities of upgrading and rehabilitating power plants to increase power supply in the region,” Wahiddin was quoted as saying.

“If the economic growth is at 5 percent, then the electricity demand is also growing at the same level or slightly higher. The electricity demand grows at the same level as the economy. In developing country, it must have a 30-percent additional capacity that will serve as buffer for any power interruptions,” he added.

TNB-Remaco has over 30 years of experience in operation and maintenance services. It sees to eight geothermal power plants and three hydro power plants in Malaysia, which have a total capacity of 11,586 megawatts.