N. Sumatra faces problems in solving acute power shortage<\/p>\n
Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan<\/p>\n
A chronic electricity deficit is plaguing North Sumatra province,
\nwith the power deficit estimated to have reached 1,000 megawatts
\n(MW).<\/p>\n
General manager of power generation and distribution for the
\nstate electricity company PT PLN northern Sumatra division,
\nAlbert Pangaribuan, said that the company was still having
\ndifficulties in overcoming the power crisis.<\/p>\n
Albert said that so far, PLN will only be able to generate 82
\nMW of the 1,000 MW deficit from the Lau Renun hydropower station
\nin Dairi regency, which is slated to start operation in 2005.<\/p>\n
Albert explained that besides power provided by Lau Renun, PLN
\nhad also signed agreements with foreign investors to establish
\npower stations with maximum output of 400 MW each.<\/p>\n
One of the projects under construction at the moment is the
\nLabuhan Angin steam-powered station in Central Tapanuli regency,
\nin cooperation with Chinese investors.<\/p>\n
\"Although there are plans to add another 400 MW, we're still
\ngoing to be short 600 MW until 2010,\" explained Albert on the
\ncurrent electricity situation in North Sumatra to the
\nCoordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie and PLN
\nPresident Director Eddi Widiyono at the Sicanang power station in
\nBelawan.<\/p>\n
Eddi said that the capacity of PLN's power generators was
\nlimited, while new stations were still being built. Due to this,
\nPLN could not meet customers increasing demands in North Sumatra
\nand this had prompted PLN to seek cooperation with the private
\nsector to build new stations.<\/p>\n
Based on PLN data, the number of consumers in North Sumatra
\nhad reached more than two million, consisting of household and
\nindustrial clients, and the number keeps growing. If there is no
\nnew investment in power plants, it is feared that the province
\nwill not be able to meet new demand, he said.<\/p>\n
Eddi said that he had noticed that private parties that had
\nsigned agreements with PLN were still having problems in
\nfinancing the projects, causing many projects, such as the one in
\nSibolga, to be stalled.<\/p>\n
According to Eddi, PLN has encouraged foreign investors to
\nbuild new power stations in Indonesia, including in North
\nSumatra.<\/p>\n
\"Now with Government Regulation No. 3, and Ministerial
\nRegulation No. 9 and No. 10 to regulate joint-ventures with
\nprivate parties, if they can follow the guidelines, we'll welcome
\nthem,\" said Eddi.<\/p>\n
Eddi said that besides facing power generating problems, PLN
\nwas also having problems in meeting coal, oil and gas supplies.
\nHe added that PLN's performance had been severely affected by the
\ndrop in fuel supplies to power stations.<\/p>\n
\"It's not due to Pertamina's mistakes, but looking at the high
\nprice of fuel at this moment, we realize that fossil fuels will
\nbe scarce in the future,\" he said, while encouraging people to
\nsave electricity, considering the soaring price of fuels now.<\/p>\n
In response to the continuing power crisis in North Sumatra,
\nCoordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie had urged
\nPLN to seek as many investors as possible to build power
\nstations.<\/p>\n
\"Invite foreign and local private companies to immediately
\nconstruct power generating stations here. If there is more than
\none party, then put the projects out on tender,\" said Aburizal,
\nwhile promising to streamline bureaucracy.<\/p>\n
In relation to the scarcity and high cost of fuels, Aburizal
\nurged PLN to use coal and gas in its future plans.<\/p>",
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