SUBANG JAYA: Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) is in discussion with 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) over acquiring the biggest equity in the 2000MW coal-fired power plant, known as Project 3B.
Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water Datuk Seri Maximus Ongkili said the ministry was made aware of the discussion, but no conclusion had been communicated to it, thus far.
“The plan is to take the biggest stake in the project, but they are still in discussion.
“I think the due diligence may have been just completed and the ministry and Energy Commission would be informed accordingly,” he told reporters after the launch of the Subang Tenaga Hub here today.
He said any change in the project equity, approved previously, would have to be made known to the ministry and the Cabinet.
According to previous reports, 1MDB owns 70 per cent of Project 3B, located in Jimah, Negeri Sembilan, and the balance by Mitsui Co Ltd.
The project, with an estimated value of RM11 billion, is scheduled for commissioning in stages from Oct 1, 2018.
Project 3B is adjacent to the existing Jimah Power Station in which TNB has a 25 per cent stake, and 1MDB the rest.
Meanwhile, commenting on today’s event, Ongkili said TNB has allocated RM18 million to set up 12 premier customer service centres called, “Tenaga Hub” to provide high quality service to customers.
“TNB will spend RM1.5 million for each Tenaga Hub which will be completed by 2017, including in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Baharu,” he added.
On the Selangor water deal, Ongkili said he would be meeting Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali next week to discuss all disputes pertaining to the restructuring of water services industry in the state.
“We need to quickly resolve the issue,” he added.
The timeline to finalise the proposed takeover of the water concession from Puncak Niaga (M) Sdn Bhd (PNSB) and Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Syabas) by the state government had been delayed thrice. -Bernama