Minister of Energy visits Bukit Panggal power station

Tuesday, 12 January 2010
The Department of Electrical Services current capacity in providing power supply is enough to meet the high demands of the nation.

Currently, there are five power stations operating to supply electricity to the nation – Gadong power station 1, Gadong power station 2, Lumut power station for the Brunei Muara District, Tutong District and Kuala Belait District as well as the Belingus power station for Temburong.

Every year the electrical capacity increases due to the fast paced development of the country and the Department of Electrical Services has always tried to be one step ahead to ensure ample power is supplied for the people. Last year, the Department of Electrical Services grid recorded a maximum of 300MW.

Bukit Panggal power station, which began operation in January 2008, supplying electricity to the power grid, is the first of its kind in Brunei to utilize the concept of ‘combined cycle’. Combined cycle can help reduce carbon emission by using the exhaust heat to produce steam for the steam turbine, which in return generates electricity.

Built at an estimated 170 million dollars and constructed under the 8th National Development Plan, the power station was completed in two and a half years.

With the combined cycle concept in place, it is hoped that the Bukit Panggal power station will play a vital role as the main power station for the whole Department of Electrical Services power system. The current capacity of phase one is 166MW with an efficiency rate at 47 per cent, which is far higher than the traditional simple cycle, which had an efficiency rate of 26 per cent.

The Government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has prepared an area of 140 acres in Bukit Panggal, Tutong District, to fulfill the needs of the Bukit Panggal power station project for the long term as it is expected to produce 500MW of electricity. Currently the power station only utilizes 75 acres of its first phase.

The eight weeks spent recomissioning the power station was completed on December 29 and part two of the Technical Advisory Service is currently underway for the next 24 months.

The Minister of Energy under the Prime Minister’s Office, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlwan Awang Haji Mohammad bin Haji Daud, made a working visit to the Bukit Panggal power station to take a closer look at the operations. Also accompanying the Minister was the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Energy), Awang Haji Ismail bin Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Setia Dato Haji Hashim.

Prior to their visit to the site, the minister listened to welcoming remarks delivered by the Director of Department of Electrical Services, Haji Umar bin Haji Mohd. Tahir, as well as a briefing provided by the Head of Generation, Awang Talib bin Sulaiman. The power station superintendent, Mr. Edwin Chong, led the tour and explained the newly utilized combined cycle concept to the minister.

By James Kon
Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin