The state of Sarawak in Malaysia is planning to replace its Sejingkat and Balingian coal-fired power plants with biomass, according to Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.
The Malay Mail reported that, following a celebration of World Water Day at Kuching Waterfront on 28 April, Abang Johari cited the UK Drax facility as a model in both reducing carbon emissions and providing economic benefits.
The Premier recently visited Drax's facility in Selby, North Yorkshire on an official visit to the UK.
“At Drax, they previously used coal but have now replaced it with biomass. The investment (to change) is not high because the system is very similar.
“This is what we want to use for Sejinkat and Balingian. We want to decommission coal. I have calculated that we can use our biomass to generate power,” he said.
He added that a switch to biomass could produce power in excess of 500 megawatts.
“Now we only need to strengthen the boiler and also from the point of view of the motor machine, and this will enable Sejingkat (plant) to generate even up to one gigawatt,” he said.
Sarawak, Malaysia to transition two coal-fired plants to biomass
