KUALA LUMPUR (July 12): The project to install a 26.5km submarine cable connecting the Kuala Perlis Transmission Main Intake (PMU) with the Teluk Apau PMU in Langkawi is 98% completed and is set to begin operations this month, says Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB). 

It said works to lay the cables commenced in July 2018 and when completed will further enhance the island’s electricity supply.

In a statement today, president/chief executive officer Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan said TNB has spent RM161 million on the new cable, the third high-voltage submarine cable to connect the resort island with the national grid.

“When the project is completed, consumers in Langkawi will benefit from the enhanced stability and efficiency of the electricity supply.

“This project could be a catalyst in the efforts to expand the footprint of broadband internet in Langkawi under the National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan (NFCP) to boost the island’s tourism sector,” he said.

He said the 132 kilovolt (kV) cable project is part of TNB’s capital expenditure to strengthen the nation’s electricity infrastructure.  

Meanwhile, TNB chief grid officer Datuk Ir Husaini Husin said: “Langkawi’s electricity system is now fully automated, and when operational, the submarine cable will improve the reliability of electricity reception.”

Early this year, the island’s electricity supply system became fully automated with a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system that links all 409 substations on the island.

“This automation helps to speed up electricity recovery time in the event of a system malfunction.

“The submarine cable uses the latest technology such as cross-linked polyethylene compared with the oil-filled cable previously used,” he said.