DCNS seizes Malaysia’s OTEC chance

DCNS has signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with OTEC Centre of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM OTEC) for the development of ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) plant in Malaysia.

The two entities have agreed to jointly conduct a pre-feasibility study aiming at identifying the potential opportunities of developing a pioneer OTEC plant on the Malaysian island of Layang-Layang.

DCNS and UTM OTEC will put together their complementary expertise to define the technical and commercial feasibility of OTEC project off the island.

The island of Layang-Layang, situated off Sabah in the North of Malaysia, is well positioned for the development of OTEC with a temperature difference above 20 C throughout the year, DCNS’ press release reads.

“The outcome of the study would allow Malaysia to scope the nature and extent of its pioneer OTEC plant to generate electricity or to produce hydrogen fuel, and water,” said Prof Dato’ A. Bakar Jaafar.

Hervé Guillou, DCNS CEO, added: “DCNS is a long-term naval and maritime partner of Malaysia and the agreement signed with Universiti Teknologi Malaysia OTEC Centre is a step further in our cooperation. OTEC is a promising technology for tropical insular territories like Layang-Layang and we are committed to bringing our expertise to identify all the opportunities to develop OTEC projects in the region.”

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion uses the difference of temperature that naturally exists in tropical waters between the surface water and deep water to create electricity.

DCNS stated that its OTEC technology, currently being improved in Reunion Island to be later installed in real conditions in Martinique, could represent an innovative solution for the development of this new source of energy in Malaysia.