PENGERANG (Nov 3): The first unit of Petroliam Nasional Bhd's (Petronas) four proposed co-generation power plants in Pengerang, Johor is expected to be commercially operational by mid-2017.

The plants form a part of Petronas' Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC).

The PIC, to be built by a consortium comprising Siemens AG, Siemens Malaysia and MMC Engineering Sdn Bhd, will have four co-generation units.

"As one of the most critical support facilities developed within the PIC, the co-generation power plants will play an important role in providing reliable steam and power to meet the requirements of the plants within the PIC area and supplement the needs of the Peninsular power grid," said Petronas vice president of infrastructure and utilities Pramod Kumar Karunakaran at the ground breaking ceremony this morning.

The co-generation power plants are expected to power the entire complex by generating 1,220 MW of electricity as well as provide a continuous supply of steam of up to 1,480 tonnes per hour for plants within the complex.

The first co-generation plant will supply power to the national grid for public consumption while the remaining three units will supply to the other facilities under the PIC.