Overview
Tawau Power Station (SESB) is a 64 MW diesel power plant in Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia. It operates on oil and serves the local grid.
Tawau Power Station (SESB) is a diesel-fired power plant located in Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia. With a capacity of 64 MW, it is a medium-scale facility within the country's power generation sector, contributing to the electricity supply for the eastern region of Sabah. The plant operates on oil as its primary fuel, a common choice for diesel power plants in remote or island regions. Malaysia's power sector is regulated by the Energy Commission (Suruhanjaya Tenaga), and facilities like Tawau Power Station must comply with national environmental standards, including the Environmental Quality Act 1974, which governs emissions and waste management. As a key electricity source for Tawau and surrounding areas, the plant supports local industrial and residential demand. Its operational status ensures grid stability in Sabah, where diesel generation remains important due to limited interconnection with the peninsula's grid. The facility's role is significant for regional energy security.
Environmental context
The plant's oil-based fuel results in higher CO2, SOx, and NOx emissions compared to natural gas or renewables. Its location in Tawau, a coastal town near sensitive ecosystems like the Sulu Sea, requires careful management of emissions and waste to minimize local environmental impact. The facility's age and technology (likely subcritical) may contribute to lower efficiency and higher per-MWh emissions.
Frequently asked questions
Tawau Power Station (SESB) is located in Tawau, Sabah, Malaysia, near the coast of the Sulu Sea.
Tawau Power Station has a capacity of 64 megawatts (MW), making it a medium-scale diesel power plant.
The plant uses oil (diesel) as its primary fuel, which is typical for many power stations in remote areas of Malaysia.
Diesel power plants in Malaysia must comply with the Environmental Quality Act 1974, which sets limits on emissions of SOx, NOx, and particulate matter, as well as waste management requirements.
Tawau Power Station provides electricity to the Sabah grid, supporting local residential and industrial demand in the eastern region, where interconnection with the peninsula is limited.