Balingian New power station
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Balingian New power station is an operating power station of at least 600-megawatts (MW) in Mukah, Balinglan, Sarawak, Malaysia with multiple units, some of which are not currently operating.
Location
Table 1: Project-level location details
| Plant name | Location | Coordinates (WGS 84) |
|---|---|---|
| Balingian New power station | Mukah, Balinglan, Sarawak, Malaysia | 2.740897, 112.47292 (exact) |
The map below shows the exact location of the power station.
Unit-level coordinates (WGS 84):
- Phase I Unit 1, Phase I Unit 2, Phase II Unit 1: 2.740897, 112.47292
Project Details
Table 2: Unit-level details
| Unit name | Status | Fuel(s) | Capacity (MW) | Technology | Start year | Retired year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase I Unit 1 | operating | coal - lignite | 300 | circulating fluidized bed | 2019 | – |
| Phase I Unit 2 | operating | coal - lignite | 300 | circulating fluidized bed | 2019 | – |
| Phase II Unit 1 | cancelled | coal - unknown | 300 | subcritical | – | – |
Table 3: Unit-level ownership and operator details
| Unit name | Owner |
|---|---|
| Phase I Unit 1 | Sarawak Energy Bhd [100.0%] |
| Phase I Unit 2 | Sarawak Energy Bhd [100.0%] |
| Phase II Unit 1 | Sarawak Energy Bhd [100.0%] |
Background
Balingian 1
Balingian I (2 x 300 MW) was expected to consume 5.2 million tonnes of coal annually, and was proposed to be built near coalfields that would supply the power station.[1] The plant would use circulating fluidized bed technology.[2]
In October 2014, Sarawak Energy entered into a contract with Chinese manufacturer Shanghai Electric Group for construction of the two 300 MW units. Construction was planned to begin the next month.[3] The power station is expected to come online in 2018.[4]
In August 2015, the State Government awarded three General Prospecting Licences (GPL) to Sarawak Energy, to explore for coal in the Balingian area to power the coal plant.[5] The plant would source its coal from Buroi Mining Sdn Bhd and Sarawak Coal Resources Sdn Bhd.[1]
In August 2016, it was reported the plant was on-track for commissioning in 2018.[6]
In October 2018, Sarawak Energy's CEO announced that the plant was on-track for commissioning in mid-2019.[7]
According to Chinese media, unit 2 was connected to the grid in January 2019, and was on track for commissioning in 2019.[8]
In May 2019, it was reported that Unit 1 would be commissioned in Q2 of 2019 and Unit 2 would be commissioned in Q3 of 2019.[9]
Unit 1 was commissioned on May 12, 2019.[10] Unit 2 was commissioned on June 28, 2019.[11]
Unit 2 was commissioned on June 28, 2019.[12]
In May 2023, the owner announced that the Balingian power plant would be the company's final coal-fired power plant, as the company was turning toward decarbonization strategies. [13]
Balingian II
Additionally, a 300 MW Balingian II was proposed.[14]
However, as of 2015 the project is not listed on Sarawak Energy's website, and plans appear to be abandoned.[4]
Local Opposition
A December 2021 narrative article discussed the environmental, social, and public health risks around coal-fired power production in Malaysia. One quote reads: "Matek Anak Geram, a land rights activist from Persatuan Sarawak Dayak Iban (SADIA), says that the indigenous communities living close to the Mukah Power Plant and Balingian Power Plant face many health problems, such as cancer, tuberculosis, asthma, and birth defects. He alleges that the health problems are caused by air and water pollution from coal burning. “Sudden deaths” had happened because residents didn’t know they had health issues until it was too late to seek help. Living in rural areas means they have limited healthcare access."[15]
Conversion plans
In April 2024, Sarawak's premier said that the state had plans to replace coal with biomass at the Balingian New power station and Sejingkat power station.[16]
Articles and Resources
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "SEB in talks with local miners for supply of coal," The Star, October 28, 2013
- ↑ Yu Ji, "First coal-fired power plant in the country with CFB boiler," The Star Online, October 11, 2014
- ↑ "The 40-month contract will commence on Nov 28 for completion on March 27, 2018," The Star Online, November 10, 2014
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Upcoming Projects," Sarawak Energy, accessed February 2015
- ↑ "Sarawak Energy granted three General Prospecting Licences (GPL) for coal exploration in Balingian," Sarawak, August 10, 2015
- ↑ "Green light for Sarawak," PressReader, August 28, 2016
- ↑ SEB to spend up to RM1 bill on turbine project, The Star, October 16, 2018
- ↑ "巴林基安2×300MW亚临界燃煤电站2号机组并网成功," 北极星电力网新闻中心, January 29, 2019
- ↑ Sarawak to spend RM5.1b on water, electricity over two years, says state minister, Malay Mail, May 7, 2019
- ↑ "马来西亚巴林基安循环流化床燃煤机组项目1号机组投运," BJX, May 14, 2019
- ↑ "中国能建湖南火电承建马来西亚巴林基安项目2号机组商运," BJX, July 5, 2019
- ↑ "中国能建湖南火电承建马来西亚巴林基安项目2号机组商运," BJX, July 5, 2019
- ↑ "No more coal-fired power plants in Sarawak after Balingian, says Premier," Dayak Daily, May 10, 2023
- ↑ "Another five coal-fired plants to power SCORE," AmResearch, October 18, 2012
- ↑ "Coal Can Be Costly—Who's Paying?", Macaranga, December 22, 2021
- ↑ "Premier: S’wak to replace coal with biomass at Sejingkat, Balingian power plants," Borneo Post, April 28, 2024
Additional data
To access additional data, including an interactive map of coal-fired power stations, a downloadable dataset, and summary data, please visit the Global Coal Plant Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.
