Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has obtained the Selangor government’s approval to go ahead with the suspended overhead cable-laying project to link the Mahkota Cheras main intake transmission plant.

The project was put on hold since October last year following public protests.

Vice-president (transmission) Rozimi Remeli said he hoped the RM91-million project could proceed to ensure stable electricity supply, particularly for people residing in and around Cheras and Balakong.

He said the utility company has spent RM90 million to date for the project, which was 65 percent complete as of Dec 12.

“We hope to resume the project next month and expect to complete it in August. If the project is not completed at the set timeline, TNB will have to bear additional costs,” he told a special media briefing on the project.

Rozimi said TNB would brief local residents, particularly people living at Taman Cheras Hartamas and Taman Bukit Segar Jaya on Dec 21 to address their worries and concerns.

“I hope the residents will cooperate with us,” he said.

Rozimi said TNB received vehement protests not to continue the project following residents’ ooncerns over the stability of the Bukit Sungai Puteh Tambahan hillslope.

“Pursuant to the protests, TNB appointed the Public Works Institute of Malaysia (Ikram) to conduct studies and analyse the hillslope’s stability in the area.

“The study findings reveal laying of the overhead cable was not in contravention with the Selangor hillslope and hilly area development planning guidelines in Selangor.

“In fact, the overhead cable structures will improve the hillslope’s stability," he told a special media briefing on the project.

Rozimi said the Selangor State Economic Action Council decided on Dec 9 to retain the original alignment after considering the people’s views and studying Ikram’s technical report.

He said TNB would appoint Ikram to monitor work to stabilise the hillslope at the area and would ensure checks at hillslope areas were conducted every six months and more frequently during rainy season.

Upon completion, he said, the project would guarantee stable power supply, especially to the people living in and around Cheras and Balakong and to consumers in the Klang Valley in general.

“Power supply is also crucial for the proposed Langat 2 Water Treatment Plant to ensure sufficient clean drinkable water for Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory in future,” he added.

- Bernama