KUALA LUMPUR (April 19): M & A Securities Research says it expects the consortiums which were led by Tenaga and Malakoff to be the prime candidates for a 2,000MW coal-fired power plant project, after the Energy Commission shortlisted five consortiums on Thursday to take part in the tender exercise for the 2,000MW coal-fired power plant to be developed at their own sites.

“We expect the consortiums which were led by Tenaga and Malakoff to be the prime candidates for the 2,000MW coal-fired power plant project (Track Project 3B) due to their experience in operating coal-fired power plant in Malaysia,” the research house said in a note Friday.

It said Tenaga has existing coal-fired power plant in Manjung (2,100MW) while Malakoff’s has a coal-fired power plant in Tanjung Bin (2,100MW).

“Meanwhile, YTL Power and 1MDB are only engaged in gas-fired combined cycle power plants and gas turbines power plant.

“However, we believe the other criteria that EC may consider to award this project are based on the most competitive rates offered by the consortiums, it said.

The Energy Commission, had on its website on Thursday, said it had completed the evaluation of seven RFQ submissions and shortlisted five. They are; i) 1Malaysia Development Bhd and Mitsui & Co. Ltd.; ii) Formis Resources Bhd, SIPP Energy Sdn Bhd, Posco Energy and Posco Engineering & Construction Co. Ltd.; (iii) Tenaga Nasional Bhd, Global Power Ventures Sdn Bhd and China National Machinery Import & Export Corp.; iv) Malakoff Corporation Bhd and Sumitomo Corp.; v) YTL Power International Bhd and Ranhill Power Sdn Bhd.

The Energy Commission said the RFP document was expected to be released on April 23 and the invitation letters would be issued shortly.

The closing date for the bid would be Sept 30, 2013.