What was the root cause of the Yong Peng North substation incident?

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The Yong Peng North Substation Incident Was Caused by Equipment Fault, Not Negligence

The major power outage experienced in several peninsula areas on July 27, 2022, was attributed to a fault within the disconnector equipment at the Yong Peng North main intake substation (PMU) in Johor. This equipment malfunction resulted in a flashover that impacted an adjacent line, leading to the tripping of the substation. An investigation conducted by an independent technical expert committee, formed by the Energy Commission (ST), found no elements of negligence in the maintenance or operation of the substation, which has been operational since 1987 and serves as a critical link between the Southern, Central, and Northern grid regions.
Equipment Malfunction Led to Substation Tripping

The incident originated from a specific failure in the disconnector equipment at the Yong Peng North PMU. This fault triggered a flashover, an electrical discharge that jumped to a nearby line. The resulting surge caused the entire Yong Peng North PMU to trip, disrupting the power supply. The Yong Peng North PMU is a vital component of the national grid, connecting the southern part of the peninsula to the central and northern regions.
Grid Instability and Load Shedding Measures

The tripping of the Yong Peng North PMU caused a significant imbalance in the national grid system, splitting it into two regions with differing operating frequencies. The Central Region recorded a frequency of 48.9Hz, while the Southern Region was at 51Hz. To prevent a complete grid collapse, the Under Frequency Load Shedding (UFLS) mechanism was automatically activated in the Central Region. This measure shed 2,269MW of load across 65 PMUs, successfully stabilizing the frequency and averting a wider paralysis of the system.
Maintenance Was Performed According to Schedule

The investigation committee confirmed that maintenance work at the Yong Peng North PMU was conducted in accordance with the established schedule. Following the incident, Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) took immediate action by replacing all the disconnector equipment at the Yong Peng North PMU. This replacement addresses the specific component that failed and likely prevents recurrence of the same fault.
Restoration Within Guaranteed Service Level

Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) successfully restored electricity supply to the affected areas within two hours and 23 minutes. This timeframe was found to be within the Guaranteed Service Level (GSL) stipulated for such incidents. Consequently, TNB was not subject to any penalties in the form of rebates for consumers, as the restoration efforts met the required service standards.

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What was the root cause of the Yong Peng North substation incident?

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