Power plant tenders: Consumers come first

Lately there has been a lot of discussion in the media about the role of Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) in the bid for power plant projects. Penjana Bebas an association of independent power producers (IPPs) wants TNB to be excluded from future bidding process because it claims TNB has an unfair advantage over IPPs.  TNB on the other hand has asserted that  it won the tenders fair and square.

For consumers, the answer to the discussion is very simple. They want the successful bidder to be one that can deliver electricity at the lower price and can be relied on to do a good job.

Since the Energy Commission has confirmed TNB’s statement that it won the projects on competitive bids,   it means that consumers will be getting the cheapest electricity possible. TNB, with decades of experience in energy production has the capacity to produce energy more efficiently

TNB’s successful bids are also a bonus to consumers because as a government-controlled company, profits from the power plants will be benefitting the people and the nation rather than private shareholders.

Thus, the debate as to whether TNB should participate in the bid for new power plant projects should be laid to rest.

Lastly, IPPs must face reality that the good old days whereby it could hold TNB and consumers to ransom are over.

Letter to the Editor, 15 August 2013