Power networks/Malaysia
This page aims to coordinate the efforts of mapping power infrastructure in Malaysia. It is intended to be a guide for mapping power lines from aerial or street-level imagery and on-the-ground survey.
A map of all existing power lines in Malaysia can be found at Open Infrastructure Map
Background
Malaysia's power grids (collectively called the National Grid), for geographic reasons, is divided into two large wide-area grids: one in Peninsular Malaysia and one in East Malaysia (i.e. Sabah and Sarawak). There are no connection between the two grids, but there are plans to connect the two through a submarine HVDC cable, which connects to Bakun Dam in Sarawak. The Peninsular power grid connects to the Thai and Singaporean grids, while the Eastern Malaysia grid connects with the Indonesian grid in Kalimantan.
Malaysia's power sector is dominated by state-owned electricity companies. Tenaga Nasional (TNB) operates the Peninsular transmission and distribution networks, whilst Sabah Electric and Sarawak Energy operates the East Malaysia networks in Sabah and Sarawak, respectively.
Tagging
Power lines
Power lines in Malaysia usually operate at these voltages. Voltages are generally the same as those used in Great Britain, except for 500 kV bulk transmission (400 kV in Britain). Transmission lines usually have two circuits, with four used in more denser parts of the country (e.g. Klang Valley). Some lines are buried underground.
- 500 kV (bulk transmission in Peninsular Malaysia, as well as the main outgoing power line from Bakun Dam connecting with Kuching in Sarawak).
- 275 kV
- 132 kV
- 33 kV
- 11 kV
- 240/415 V
As a general guideline, all lines with voltage of 132 kV and above are tagged as power=line. Overhead power distribution lines are generally power=minor_line or power=cable + location=overhead; they are generally bundled cable in the Peninsula, whilst they are conventional lines in the east. Underground or submarine power cables are tagged power=cable regardless of voltage level.
Other voltages are 300 kV (HVDC line connecting with the Thai grid), 25 kV (railway electrification voltage by KTM), and 750 V DC (LRT and MRT lines in the Klang Valley).
Substations
Substations are tagged as power=substation. substation=* depends on the primary voltage and output voltages. If it has maximum voltage of 500 or 275 kV, it's likely to be substation=transmission. Substation type for 132 and 33 kV substations will generally be substation=distribution.
Names of substations are fairly standard: most substations should have names beginning with Pencawang Masuk Utama ("main incoming substation" in Malay, also abbreviated to PMU). 500 kV substations, however, may use Pencawang Grid ("grid substation" in Malay) instead. The voltages of the substation are often added to the name of the substation. Smaller substations downstepping 11 kV to 240/415 V and housed inside buildings (substation=minor_distribution, generally those by TNB and in areas of other large cities where most power lines have been buried underground) have names beginning with Pencawang Elektrik (electrical substations), and usually named after the village or locality served.