The Penang state government is puzzled as to why Tenaga Nasional Bhd(TNB) is still investigating the cause of simultaneous electricity blackouts in six states between of 2pm to 5pm yesterday, namely Penang, Perak, Kedah, Negri Sembilan, Malacca and Johor.
Even though not many factory sites were affected in Prai in Penang, the electricity blackout will have some impact on public confidence on the professional ability and technical competency of TNB to supply regular and reliable supply. The Penang state government is waiting for an answer and will be discussing with the new Penang TNB Manager on 14.5.2014 for an assurance that there will be no repeat of such power blackouts.
With advanced sophisticated technology and computerisation of electrical equipment, something is very wrong if TNB cannot immediately determine the source of the power blackouts in 6 states and is still investigating the cause. There is a need for TNB to come clean with the actual cause so that they can adopt corrective or remedial measures to ensure that there is no repeat of such power blackouts.
Does the problem lies within TNB or with the Independent Power Producers? With losses incurred from the power blackout with no hope of compensation as the duration was less than 4 hours, the public from the affected 6 states demands satisfactory answers and solutions offered.
Failure to be open and transparent will only lead to doubts and concerns that TNB may be practicing load shedding or rolling blackouts, which is when electricity supply is staggered according to time and location as a last resort to avoid total blackouts.