Operations
The IPP Project at Melawa, which is an extension to SESB's Melawa Power Station, was awarded to ARL Power by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister's Department on 13 September 1993. Subsequently on 14 June 1994, Jabatan Bekalan Elektrik & Gas 94 (JBE&G) awarded ARL Power the License, pursuant to Article 9 of the Electricity Supply Act 1990, to own, operate and maintain the Power Plant and supply energy to LLS (now SESB). ARLT signed a 21 year Power Purchase Agreement with LLS (now SESB) on 14 June 1994. The Plant is equipped with a high level of automation. All starting, stopping, monitoring and controlling processes are performed via the Distributed Control System ("DCS") installed in the Control Room. The DCS permits numerous operations to be performed via simple mouse click at the graphics user interface. Nevertheless a manual backup system is still available, in the unlikely event that the DCS suffers a breakdown.
On 1 July 1994, ARL Power contracted a consortium comprising Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. and Hyundai Engineering Corporation (collectively HHI/HEC) to undertake the engineering design, procurement and construction of the Melawa Plant. Work commenced at site on 24 September 1994. The Plant was completed in two blocks. Commercial operations were declared on 31 October 1995. The second block comprising 3 units DEGs was declared on 25 April 1996.
ARL Power has appointed ARL Janakuasa Letrik Sdn Bhd (ARLJL) as the O&M contractor for the Plant. ARLJL is a 100% owned subsidiary of ARL Global Sdn Bhd and has staff strength of 66 engineers and mechanical and electrical technicians, both native Sabahans as well as from Peninsular Malaysia. In addition, ARL Power retained HHI as an O&M Consultant, to facilitate ARLJL's development as a competent, effective and efficient O&M contractor. HHI's term expired on 31 October 2000.
The Plant is also equipped with a high level of automation. All starting, stopping, monitoring and controlling processes are performed via the Distributed Control System ("DCS") installed in the Control Room. The DCS permits numerous operations to be performed via a simple mouse click at the graphics user interface. Nevertheless a manual backup system is still available, in the unlikely event that the DCS suffers a breakdown.
Presently ARL Power has declared a Net Dependable Capacity of 47.5 MW to SESB. Being a dispatchable Plant, the facility at ARL Power is practically at their disposal, always on standby, to deliver energy whenever called upon, in accordance with Prudence Utility Practices.