“We are looking forward to participating if the opportunity arises but at the moment, there is no decision yet on the matter,” Che Khalib told reporters yesterday at the TNB Majlis Mesra Aidilfitri.
The Government had in August offered TNB to develop the first unit of 1,000-MW coal-fired power plant at its present power plant site in Manjung, Perak.
TNB is reported to have said the plant was expected to start operations on March 1, 2015.
Che Khalib said TNB was committed to deliver the first block of the power plant and that if the first 1,000-MW project was sufficient for TNB, the group might give the opportunity to other independent power producers to bid.
“The Energy Commission is expected to call for tenders for the second unit of 1,000-MW coal-fired power plant before the end of the year,” he said. “As for TNB, the most important thing is that we want to make sure there will be competitive bidding.”
He said with competitive bidding, it should be able to secure competitive rates unlike what had happened in the past.
“In the past all the independent power producers were given their deals in Peninsular Malaysia through direct negotiation process,” he said.
“I am quite confident that by having competitive bidding, we should be able to secure very competitive rates for the nation,” Che Khalib added.
Thestar 23rd September 2010