Gas Malaysia Bhd, via its subsidiary Gas Malaysia IEV Sdn Bhd (GMIEV), has formally launched its virtual pipeline business following the officiation of its compressed natural gas (CNG) facility in Gebeng.
GMIEV is a joint-venture company between Gas Malaysia — a member of MMC Corp Bhd — and IEV Energy Sdn Bhd.
In a statement yesterday, Gas Malaysia said GMIEV’s business model would address the complete value chain of mobile gas solutions from compressing natural gas at its station in Gebeng.
It will then be followed by the transportation of the CNG via prime movers and distribution to end users in a 200km radius from its mother station.
GMIEV will purchase natural gas from Gas Malaysia and is responsible for maintaining and operating the compression and transportation unit as well as the transportation and unit pressure unit, both key components of the virtual pipeline.
Gas Malaysia chairmain Datuk Hasni Harun said this was notable as the company had started to create new demand for natural gas and was opening up new avenues of opportunity.
“At present, we have commenced supply to our first customer in Pekan, Pahang,” he said.
East Coast Economic Region (ECER) Development Council chief executive officer Datuk Seri Jebasingan Issace John said ECER hoped GMIEV would extend its gas supply to industrial parks, such as the Tok Bali Industrial Park in Kelantan.
“Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP), Kuantan Integrated Industrial Park and Kertih Biopolymer Park in ECER’s Special Economic Zone (SEZ) are currently facing gas supply challenges.
“The extension of gas supply to ECER’s industrial parks would be a major boon and would be a pull factor for investors to invest in the region, as gas supply is a key infrastructure that can spur investment and accelerate ECER’s transformation.
“The people would then benefit from expanded, higher income employment prospects and business and entrepreneurial opportunities,” said Jebasingam.
Hasni said Gas Malaysia would continue to build on the achievements of its virtual pipeline venture, which is expected to contribute positively towards ECER’s efforts in improving the socioeconomic development of the East Coast Region in the long term, and ultimately, that of the nation.