Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is partnering with Siemens Energy to accelerate the decarbonisation of its thermal power plants, utilising green hydrogen produced from renewable energy (RE) resources.
TNB has recently formalised an agreement through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Siemens Energy, a leader in energy technology. This MoU provides TNB with access to cutting-edge knowledge and expertise as well as resources in hydrogen-based power generation, with a specific focus on green hydrogen production using electrolyser and RE generation sources such as pumped hydro and solar.
The MoU documents were officially exchanged during a ceremony held at the Energy Transition Conference 2023 last August. The exchange of the MoU documents was witnessed by the Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry, Tengku Datuk Seri Utama Zafrul Tengku Abd Aziz and accompanied by Chairman of TNB, Dato’ Abdul Razak Abdul Majid; President and CEO of TNB, Dato’ Seri Ir. Baharin Din; Managing Director of TNB Genco, Ir. Muhamad Nazri Bin Pazil and Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Asia Pacific at Siemens Energy, Mr. Thorbjorn Fors.
“Partnering with Siemens Energy aligns seamlessly with TNB’s Energy Transition aspiration, propelling us toward our goal of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050. This collaboration underscores TNB’s unwavering dedication to fostering environmental sustainability,” said Baharin. He further emphasised that this MoU establishes a framework for the exploration of inventive solutions and cutting-edge technologies aimed at achieving cost-effective green hydrogen production in Malaysia while addressing the associated challenges.
Under the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR), hydrogen and ammonia co-firing is recognised as one of the flagship projects and TNB is selected as a champion to lead its deployment, in collaboration with PETRONAS, as part of the national decarbonisation initiative. This underpins the need to analyse the techno-economics aspects of hydrogen co-firing as well as balancing the security and affordability of energy produced from hydrogen co-fired power plants.
The partnership with Siemens Energy will empower TNB to delve into and enhance its capabilities in specifying, procuring, building, operating, maintaining, and overseeing the contractual and financial aspects of hydrogen production and its application for co-firing in thermal power plants.
Additionally, the MoU facilitates the exchange of knowledge and technology transfer, enabling TNB to bolster its internal competencies and maintain a leading position in the field of hydrogen-related production and utilisation technologies.
The collaboration with Siemens Energy will also foster international cooperation and solidify TNB’s standing as a leading player in the global energy transition toward sustainable and carbon-neutral practices in the energy sector.
