- Wylfa gets two year extension

WYLFA will keep generating power for another two years after getting the green light from nuclear regulators.

The Anglesey nuclear power station was due to start decommissioning this December but staff have been working to make the case that it was safe to keep generating.

Yesterday they received the go ahead from the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) to run until 2012.

Extension will secure 650 jobs for another two years.

Nick Gore, Wylfa Site Director, said: “I’m absolutely delighted with the news. This is all down to the quality of our staff on site and with our plant and equipment in excellent condition; we can look forward to the future in confidence.”

The site is owned by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority and operated by Magnox North. Fuel levels mean Reactor 2 could run to the end of 2012. Reactor 1 has the potential to run on to 2013 but the plant is also restricted by a requirement to have spent fuel sent to Sellafield by 2015.

Once generation does come to an end de-fuelling work would keep a significant number of the 650 staff at the site for a further three years, with jobs in decommissioning after that date.

This could keep trained staff on the island until work starts on the proposed Wylfa B, which could be operational as early as 2020.

Anglesey MP Albert Owen said it was good news for the island.

He added: “I have led on this campaign and the news is good for Anglesey and good for the whole country.”

Charles Hendry, Minister for Energy, said: “The additional income it generates will make a significant contribution to meeting the costs of decommissioning other legacy sites, reducing the bill for the taxpayer.”

Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan added: "This is good news for Anglesey and North Wales. Wylfa plays a vital role in the local economy and today's announcement will be a great boost for its workforce.”

The additional revenue from the power station is expected to be in excess of £100m.

FOCUS SABAH: RM7.8b power boost planned

RM7.8b power boost planned

The State Government will be investing more than RM7.85 billion in building five power stations to meet the rapid development taking place in Sabah.

However, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Haji Aman said most of the projects were still at the planning stage. When completed and commissioned the power stations are expected to produce a total of 1,215 megawatts to meet power supply needs in 10 to 15 years.

"I was made to understand that the demand for electricity supply in Sabah and Labuan is more than 700 megawatts with annual average growth of 7.7 per cent for the past five years.

Meanwhile, the forecasted demand for is expected to increase at 8 per cent a year and double up reaching to 1,500 megawatts by 2018.

"This rising percentage is also in tandem with the encouraging growth of economy and development in the State, including the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC), that will definitely need full support from our system of power supply," Musa said.

The five projects are:

- An Independent Power Plant (IPP) Ranhill Powertron II worth RM750 million with capacity of 190 megawatts expected to completed by the end of 2009;

- IPP Petronas Kimanis worth RM2 billion with capacity of 300 megawatts expected to completed end of 2012/2013;

- IPP SPR Energy (M) Sdn Bhd in Kimanis with capacity of 100 megawatts MW worth RM450 million, which is still at planning stage, to be completed by 2013;

- A Hdyro Upper Padas project with capacity of 150 megawatts with estimated cost of RM1.25 billion, now at planning stage, expected to be completed end 2014/2015; and

- A Hydro Liwagu project with estimated capacity of 175 megawatts worth RM1.8 billion, still at planning stage, to be completed by the end of 2017.

Musa's speech at the opening of the "Energy Efficiency Convention and the Electricity Supply Application Handbook" (ESAH) at a hotel, Monday, was deliverd by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Raymond Tan Shu Kiah.

The convention is the first here in conjunction with the launching of Energy Month in Kuala Lumpur on Nov. 10 with the aim of educating and creating public awareness on the importance of saving energy and use of electricity wisely and productively.

The launching of ESAH is an initiative of Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) to enhance its level of service for the customers and to be used as guidance by the developers, consultants and contractors.

The handbook provides information on the process and procedures in applying for power supply that is more transparent, standardised and more organised for all quarters when dealing with SESB.

Among those present were SESB Managing Director Baharin Din and the Energy, Water and Communications Ministry's Smart Energy Division secretary Badariyah Abdul Malek.

Musa said once the five projects are completed, the supply not only would strengthen the electricity supply system but also replace all small and outdated generators still used in the State.

"While we are aware of the constraints and challenges, a paradigm shift is needed by making a positive change and habit among the consumers when using electricity like adopt good practice of conserving energy."

"In this respect, the State Government welcomed the SESB's initiative to organise the convention as an early step towards adopting energy efficiency practice as a way of life," he said.

Musa further said the public also needs to be aware that wasting electricity does not only bring losses to the users through paying more but also affect national economic development.

Hence, he urged all quarters to practise energy efficiency in their respective operations and activities.

Tan, in particular, urged housewives to adopt and practice energy efficiency at home as they were the ones handling household matters, including the electricity and water.

"The housewives should minimise power consumption and encourage their family members to use electricity wisely and prudently," he said.

RM7.8b power boost planned
Daily Express, Malaysia