Government claims power shortage has subsided<\/p>\n
Leony Aurora, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The number of areas across the country suffering a power shortage
\nhas declined by more than 50 percent, or less than 10 regions, a
\ntop energy ministry official has said.<\/p>\n
Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Secretary-General
\nLuluk Sumiarso, speaking on Tuesday on the sidelines of the
\nNational Energy Congress, said more than 20 areas had previously
\nbeen battling a shortage of electricity.<\/p>\n
One measure taken by state power firm PT PLN to solve the
\npower shortage was to develop a transmission network linking
\nSouth Sumatra and West Sumatra.<\/p>\n
\"We have substantial water potential in West Sumatra (to move
\npower plants' turbines),\" said Luluk. \"When water is abundant,
\nelectricity can be transmitted to the southern areas (of
\nSumatra).\"<\/p>\n
Several areas suffered power shortages a few months ago, when
\nthe water level in reservoirs used by hydropower stations dropped
\nduring the dry season.<\/p>\n
West Sumatra, Riau and Jambi were among the provinces that
\nexperienced long and frequent power cuts, which were carried out
\non a rotation system by PLN branches to conserve the local power
\nsupply. The provinces lost power for three to six hours a day,
\nand sometimes for six to 10 hours a day.<\/p>\n
Power has become an increasingly serious issue over the past
\nfew years, as demand continues to grow but supply remains
\nstagnant due to a lack of investment.<\/p>\n
PLN has said it would need some US$5 billion in new investment
\nfor the 2002-2006 period and $28.5 billion over the next 10
\nyears.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the Indonesian National Committee of World Energy
\nCouncil Hardiv Situmeang reiterated the urgency for the
\ngovernment to promote the use of renewable energy.<\/p>\n
\"Studies have proved that in the long term, (power) plants
\nusing renewable energy are more sustainable (than those using
\nfossil fuel),\" Hardiv told reporters.<\/p>\n
To make renewable energy projects more attractive, investor
\nincentives, such as eligibility to engage in emission trading
\nunder the Kyoto Protocol, should be provided, he said.<\/p>\n
The protocol, which will come into effect early next year,
\ncommits 55 industrialized nations to making significant cuts in
\nthe emission of greenhouse gases by 2012.<\/p>\n
One means of fulfilling the protocol is to provide funds for
\nsustainable projects in countries that do not have emission
\nreduction targets.<\/p>\n
\"The government needs to speed up the establishment of a
\nnational body to offer such projects to industrialized
\ncountries,\" said Hardiv. \"Otherwise, other better-prepared
\ncountries like Vietnam, Malaysia and India will outrun us.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-claims-power-shortage-has-subsided-1447893297",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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