New power plant to be built in North Sumatra<\/p>\n
Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan<\/p>\n
PT Mega Power Mandiri, which is owned by Ahmad Kalla, a brother
\nof the country's new Vice President Jusuf Kalla, plans to develop
\na US$250 million power plant in North Sumatra.<\/p>\n
North Sumatra Governor T. Rizal Nurdin told reporters on
\nWednesday the provincial administration had issued the necessary
\nlicense to the company for the development of the 219-megawatt
\n(MW) hydroelectric plant, which would span Bandar Pulau district
\nin Asahan regency and Meranti district in Samosir regency.<\/p>\n
Rizal said Mega Power planned to start construction next year
\nand complete the plant by 2008.<\/p>\n
\"The investment value of the power plant is around $250
\nmillion, or about Rp 2 trillion,\" he said, adding that the new
\nPLTA Asahan III power plant would help secure the province's
\nelectricity supply and avert the looming power crisis.<\/p>\n
According to Maradjohan Batubara of state electricity firm
\nPLN's North Sumatra branch, the capacity of installed power
\nplants in the province totaled 1,050 MW, compared to peak-hour
\ndemands of 1,030 MW from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.<\/p>\n
\"This means that PLN has a leeway of only 20 MW. Ideally, the
\npower reserve should be from 200 MW to 400 MW,\" Maradjohan told
\nThe Jakarta Post, pointing out that a small reserve supply would
\nbe risky, particularly in the case of a power shutdown at one of
\nthe plants, which could reduce the supply by up to 200 MW.<\/p>\n
Indonesia faces the threat of a power crisis due to rising
\ndemand against a limited supply due to lack of investment in the
\nsector. The new government has promised to work hard to lure new
\ninvestment to the country, including the crucial power sector.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, Rizal said the provincial administration hoped more
\nprivate investors would participate in developing the power
\nsector in the area, particularly in hydroelectric and geothermal
\nplant projects.<\/p>\n
He pointed out that water resources in North Sumatra had the
\npotential to provide around 2,000 MW of electricity, while
\ngeothermal resources could produce up to 1,300 MW.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-power-plant-to-be-built-in-north-sumatra-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}