Marrying quality and lower costs

PacificLight CEO Yu Tat Ming says efficiency is key ingredient.

Many would say that a trade-off is crucial in every marriage but in business, there are things that cannot be compromised. For companies like PacificLight, which owns and operates an 800 MW combined cycle plant on Jurong Island in Singapore, marrying quality and lower costs is not only ideal but easily realized through continuous efficiency enhancements without compromising on quality service and reliability. It is similar to a married couple finding ways to make daily life together better and easier by finding how their strengths can work together to make a perfect partnership.

“PacificLight aims to consistently provide all of our customers with first class service whilst at the same time continuing to achieve cost efficiencies,” says Yu Tat Ming, CEO of PacificLight.

He says quality service and cost efficiency complement each other instead of requiring a trade-off. “If we provide a sub-standard service quality this will inevitably lead to additional work to correct which costs time and effort,” Yu adds.
He explains that PacificLight’s brand is hinged on flexibility, reliability and efficiency. PacificLight, which is based in Singapore, was founded on a joint venture between FPM Power Holdings and Petronas Power Sdn. Bhd, a subsidiary of Malaysia’s national oil company PETRONAS.The combined experience of these two shareholders provides PacificLight with a strong presence in Singapore.

FPM Power Holdings is a joint venture between Hong Kong-based investment management and holding company First Pacific Company Limited (First Pacific) and Meralco PowerGen Corporation (MPC), a subsidiary of the Manila Electric Company.

Thrust in efficiency
“Our Operations and Maintenance team are constantly looking at ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency whilst ensuring the plant maintains its high reliability,” Yu says.

PacificLight’s success in implementing energy and water-efficient systems in its plant was recognized by the Certified Greenmark status which was awarded by the BCA in May 2014. “An inherent part of our corporate values is to behave responsibly in the environment we operate in by utilising resources such as water and electricity wisely,” Yu says.

He says the design and construction of PacificLight’s 800MW facility involved both the installation of high quality equipment and implementation of sustainable practices. “Maximising efficiency allows us to produce electricity with lower emissions to the environment whilst also producing electricity at competitive prices to the benefit of our customers,” he adds. To maintain cost efficiency, Yu says PacificLight ensures that it has a continuous supply of fuel, namely natural gas.

This is especially crucial for a country like Singapore where natural gas is the dominant fuel used for power generation. All of Singapore’s piped natural gas is imported from Malaysia and Indonesia while liquefied natural gas (LNG) is sourced globally.

“Given the importance of a secure fuel supply, PacificLight has a long term arrangement in place with BG Singapore Gas Marketing Pte Ltd for the supply of LNG. Having a reliable and proven fuel supply from a respected company like BG gives us comfort that the supply chain will remain intact and is robust,” Yu says.

He says, “BG delivers LNG to the recently built Singapore LNG terminal that is operated by Singapore LNG Corporation.” The terminal itself was completed in May 2013 and PacificLight, the largest consumer of LNG in Singapore, has been impressed by the timely completion of the terminal and its seamless operation thus far.“