Blackouts not due to power crisis: Govt<\/p>\n
Muninggar Sri Sarawati, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government asked on Wednesday for understanding from people
\nin Bali and Java over the planned rotating blackouts on the Java-
\nBali power network.<\/p>\n
Ongoing work on the massive grid had caused a shortage of
\npower, but it was aimed at improving power in the future.<\/p>\n
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro
\nsaid the work on the line connecting BP's Offshore Northwest Java
\nfield, that had cut power to Muara Karang and Tanjung Priok power
\nplants, would allow more use of gas and reduce the plants'
\ndependence on oil.<\/p>\n
Natural gas is not only cheaper, but will also result in
\nhigher power-generating capacities at the plants.<\/p>\n
\"So, these (blackouts) are not because of a power crisis. This
\nis in fact to boost natural gas usage in the network. We expect
\nthe system to be much better,\" said Purnomo.<\/p>\n
Muara Karang and Tanjung Priok plants supply the Java-Bali
\npower grid.<\/p>\n
Purnomo was referring to well-publicized plans by the state
\nutility firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) to undergo a
\nrotating blackout between the peak hours of 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.
\nbetween May 23 and June 6.<\/p>\n
PLN was forced to do it because power along the overloaded
\nJava-Bali grid would be reduced by up to 386 megawatt (MW) during
\nthat period, as a result of the construction work. The reduction
\nwould mean that demand in the peak hours could reach up to 14,800
\nMW, exceeding the generating capacity of about 14,414 MW.<\/p>\n
On Monday and Tuesday though, no blackouts were reported -- in
\nwhat PLN says was the result of the public's voluntary reduction
\nin power consumption.<\/p>\n
PLN has said that the blackouts could be avoided if each
\nhousehold turned off just two small light bulbs, equal to
\napproximately 50 watts, during peak hours.<\/p>\n
Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who conducted an inspection of the
\ntwo power plants on Wednesday, urged sacrifices from the
\nbusinesses and state offices, not only households, so the
\nblackouts could actually be avoided throughout this period.<\/p>\n
He said shopping malls and office buildings could play a major
\nrole in the effort, by slightly reducing the use of power.<\/p>\n
The state firm said it would require about US$28.5 billion in
\ninvestment in the sector in the next 10 years to keep up with the
\nrapidly increasing demand.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/blackouts-not-due-to-power-crisis-govt-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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