Country Update: Geothermal Development in Malaysia

Abstract

Although over 60 hot springs have been identified in Malaysia, only one medium to high temperature geothermal resource has so far been identified, at Tawau in Sabah. The prospect is also known as Apas Kiri. This prospect lies on the extension of a volcanic arc from the western Philippines, and so shares the typical characteristics of volcanic-hosted geothermal systems in that country. The usual range of geoscientific surveys has been carried out, identifying high-temperature thermal springs and a large resistivity anomaly centred on a Quaternary volcanic edifice. One deep slimhole has been drilled, confirming a temperature of over 2000C and with largely neutral pH hydrothermal alteration. All necessary permits and a power sales agreement are in place to proceed to a 30MW (net) initial development. This has conservatively been assumed to use binary technology, but the conceptual model developed from the geoscience and drilling data suggests there is a good chance that higher temperatures will be encountered when deeper production wells are drilled closer to the upflow zone, which would permit the use of a flash steam or combined cycle plant. The project is currently awaiting financial input from new investment partners. Other than that the only use of geothermal energy in Malaysia consists of at least 15 bathing facilities using natural hot water, mainly on the Malaysian Peninsula.