Use Gas Or Hydro Instead Of Coal, Sabah Power Utlities Told

KOTA KINABALU, April 12 (Bernama) - Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) and Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) have been told to consider using hydro or gas to generate electricity in Lahad Datu as an alternative to the RM1.3 billion coal-fired power project that the state government has rejected for Silam within the district.Responding to a TNB article in "TNB Talks" that Sabah could face an acute power shortage by 2010, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said today that this can be averted if the utilities go for alternative fuel sources instead of coal.Speaking to reporters after taking part in the Sabah Malay Golf Association President's Trophy Golf Championship near here, he reiterated that using coal as fuel for the proposed power station is unacceptable because it will be adjacent to areas with sensitive ecosystems such as Teluk Darvel, Lembangan Maliau, the Danum Valley and Ulu Segama."The project was cancelled upon the request of the people in this state, especially those in Lahad Datu. That is why the state Cabinet suggests that SESB and TNB use hydro or gas for their proposed power plant in Lahad Datu," he said."The state government is prepared to offer every assistance to speed up the approval process so that this alternatively-fuelled power project gets off the ground as soon as possible."