Layang-Layang to have Otec power plant
Published on: Thursday, September 03, 2015
Kuala Lumpur: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) plans to set up the country's pilot Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (Otec) Power Plant in Pulau Layang-Layang off Sabah.UTM Ocean Thermal Energy Centre (Otec) Director Prof Dr Md Nor Musa said the power plant would be able to create commercial opportunities and transform the socio-economic well-being of the country tremendously.He said a development fund of RM35 million had been applied for the project under the 11th Malaysia Plan.
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"When completed, the Otec power plant could ensure sustainable supply of energy, water and food to support human habitation."We are awaiting approval from the government for the country's first Otec power plant that would help reduce our dependency on coal-fired power plants," he said after attending the Third International Otec Symposium at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) here Wednesday.Meanwhile, Pasdec Corporation Sdn Bhd Group Managing Director Datuk Mohd Khairuddin Abdul Manan said the project needed support and involvement from the government to make it a reality."It's a good idea. Renewable energy is a good project to embark on because it provides sustainable income from clean technology, while a place like Pulau Layang-Layang can be developed into an eco-tourism park and resort," he said.
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He called UTM Otec and other parties in the country to explore the potential of hydrogen technology by capitalising on the experience and knowledge of other countries.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Founded in 2006, Otec uses the ocean's natural thermal gradient to generate power where the heat contained in the deep waters of the tropics can be converted into electrical energy, thus reducing dependency on imported coal.
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The two-day symposium, which started Tuesday, was attended by experts from the US, South Korea, Malaysia, France and Japan.