Sembcorp Industries’ Mandalay power plant loses power after March 28 earthquake
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Sembcorp confirmed that there are no Singaporeans working at the plant, and that “all its staff are safe”.
PHOTO: SEMBCORP INDUSTRIES
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SINGAPORE – A power plant in Myanmar built and operated by Singapore’s Sembcorp Industries has experienced a power trip because of grid failure following an earthquake that hit the country
When contacted, a Sembcorp spokesperson told The Straits Times that despite losing power, the US$300 million (S$402.7 million) gas-fired power plant in Mandalay has not been damaged.
“As a result of the earthquake that struck central Myanmar, Sembcorp Myingyan Independent Power Plant experienced a trip due to a grid failure,” the spokesperson said.
A power plant trip involves the sudden shutdown of a generator, turbine or electrical circuit due to a fault or abnormal condition to prevent equipment damage or safety hazards.
“We are in close contact with the relevant authorities and are monitoring the situation. The plant will be restarted promptly upon receiving instructions from the authorities, whilst ensuring that conditions at the plant and the surrounding areas are safe,” the spokesperson said, adding that in the meantime, its staff are “providing support to the local community where we can”.
Sembcorp also confirmed that there are no Singaporeans working at the plant, and that “all its staff are safe”.
The 225MW power plant was completed and began supplying power to the Myanmar government in 2018. It is one of the largest gas-fired independent power plants in Myanmar, which has a lack of infrastructure to generate power for its people.
Sembcorp’s power plant, which is able to meet the power needs of around 5.3 million people, was developed under a build-operate-transfer agreement between Sembcorp Myingyan Power Company and Myanmar’s Ministry of Electricity and Energy, signed in January 2017.
Under the agreement, Sembcorp Myingyan Power Company will build and operate the power plant for 22 years, after which the facility will be transferred to the Myanmar government.
Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, was among the areas rocked by a 7.7-magnitude earthquake on March 28. The initial quake was followed by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock minutes later.
In Myanmar, the death toll from the earthquake has surpassed 1,000, the military government said on March 29.
