SARAWAK POWER GNERATION SDN BHD (SPG), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sarawak Energy Bhd, signed a Technical Agreement with Forward Energy Sdn Bhd (FESB) on 8th September 2009 in Kuala Lumpur for the development of a 150 MW fuel cell energy conversion facility in Miri.
SPG was represented by the SEB Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Tan Sri Datuk Amar (Dr.) Haji Abdul Aziz bin Dato HajiHusain and SPG Director Mr. Yong Kiong Choon while Dato Azmi Abdullah and Datin Zarinah Mohd Shariff signed on behalf of FESB.
Located at the Pujut Power Station, the Phase I project is a base load centralized plant with a maximum capacity of 96 MW comprising four 24 MW modules of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) systems and steam turbines. The first module is scheduled to be installed and commence energy conversion in August 2010 withfull operation expected in April 2011.
Phase II will see the deployment of 55 MW installation at several zone sub-stations around Miri. It comprises two units of 24 MW plant and multiple cluster of distributed 700 kW units totaling 7 MW,employing a SOFC-cum-micro-turbine system.
The installation will be the first large scale fuel-based power facility in the world. One salient feature of the system is its high efficiency, reaching an overall figure of close to 64%. The high efficiency allows better utilization of natural gas resources by producing more electrical energy for each unit of gas. Without any combustion and hence minimal emission, this facility embraces the much-sought after green technology that is more friendly to the envrionment.