IMPSA has completed about 50% of the job

IMPSA (M) Sdn Bhd, which is supplying four of eight hydro-powered turbines for the 2,400-megawatt Bakun dam project, has completed more than 50% of the turbine works and is on schedule to complete the four turbines by 2012.

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IMPSA Malaysia managing director Juan Jose Aguero said the total costs for its turbines were RM606mil, of which RM145mil was the claim awarded due to the delay of the project and the increment in costs.

Aguero said the company planned to invest about RM50mil over the next two years to expand its business in Malaysia. This would include the purchase of new machinery and the installation for its plant.

“We have invested RM200mil in the last five years to expand our plant locally and our intention is to continue expanding our business here,” he said.

Aguero said this during Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui’s visit to IMPSA plant in Lumut yesterday.

He said the company manufactured components and machinery for renewable-energy industry and port cranes.

“The renewable-energy products manufacturing business contributes about 80% to our revenue,” he said, adding that 30% to 40% of its total products were currently for export.

Meanwhile, Chin said the Government was studying the possibility of developing nuclear energy for power generation.

He said an overseas study trip would be made within the next few days in relation to this matter.

“I’m going to South Korea to look at what is happening there with regard to nuclear technology,” he said.

Nuclear development in Malaysia is currently in its infancy and the possibility of using nuclear as a source of renewable energy might happen in 15 to 20 years.

“It may happen when our resources like gas, coal and fossil fuel have depleted,” Chin said.

He said many countries had the expertise in this area and the Government was keeping the option open.

On the possibility of using wind for power generation, Chin said the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry was now doing testing in a few places, including Sabah.

“We have to make sure that we have enough wind for the installation of machines like wind-turbines to generate power.

“We will make the decision after the test has been completed but it is hard to set a timeframe,” he said.

On the power tariff hike, Chin said the next review would take place in December but it did not mean there would be an increase.

He said the Government would look at the costs before making any decision.

“The last review was sometime in June and the Government had made the decision not to increase the tariff due to the economic slowdown. We don’t want to increase the burden of the people,” he said.