Business

Thursday October 22, 2009

Siemens keen on local and regional gas and wind turbines market

By DAVID TAN


GEORGE TOWN: Siemens wants to tap the gas and wind turbines market in Malaysia and elsewhere in the region in the next two to three years, according to Siemens Malaysia (fossil power generation) vice-president Woon Wai Min.

He told StarBiz the company had recently completed testing its gas turbines, which are capable of achieving 60% power efficiency. “This means that it uses less fuel to produce, in combined cycle, some 550MW of electricity,” Woon said. “Present gas turbines in Malaysia can achieve only up to 55% power efficiency.”

The gas turbine, known as 8000H, is manufactured in Germany, using German technology. Woon was speaking during the Germany Faces Malaysia exhibiton in Universiti Sains Malaysia, organised by the German Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Woon Wai Min ... ‘The Malaysian government is now conducting a viability study in east Malaysia on harnessing wind energy.’

Some 20 German companies operating in the country showcased their technology and products at the exhibition. Besides the 8000H gas turbine, Siemens also aims to market its 2.3MW single-unit wind turbines in Malaysia.

“This wind turbine has the capability to provide sufficient power supply to a small town. The Malaysian government is now conducting a viability study in east Malaysia on harnessing wind energy,” he said, adding that the wind turbines were manufactured in Denmark, using German technology.

Woon noted that there was an overcapacity in the power generation sector of the country.

“But as demand rises, the overcapacity situation would be brought down. This is likely to happen in the next two to three years, and it will be the right time to market the gas efficient and wind turbines in the region.

“Meanwhile, to prepare for market penetration, Siemens will carry out seminars and exhibitons to create awareness in Malaysia and in the region on the need to employ gas efficient turbines and renewable energy turbines,” he said.

Siemens expects the consumption of fossil fuel to drop to 60% of total energy consumed in 2030 from 67% presently. “This demonstrates the need to conserve fuel and popularise alternative energy,” Woon said.

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