State power utility PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) plans to invite bids early next year for the development of the Sumatra and Java power transmission networks, a company executive says.<\/p>\n
Herman Darnel Ibrahim, PLN transmission and distribution director, said over the weekend that the company was currently conducting a feasibility study and expected that the tender for the projects, worth some US$1.2-billion, would take place in April 2008.<\/p>\n
Herman said the company could not afford to wait any longer if it wanted to meet the schedule set out in PLN's blueprint.<\/p>\n
According to the blueprint -- which basically itemizes the projects that will be developed by PLN, along with specific time targets -- the new transmission facilities, which also include submarine cables, are expected to be completed in 2011.<\/p>\n
\"This is important as that year will mark the start of several new power plants planned for Sumatra,\" Herman said.<\/p>\n
A number of firms, both local and foreign, have expressed interest in constructing coal-fired power plants in Sumatra, where coal deposits are abundant but many people still do not have access to electricity.<\/p>\n
PLN, which is working with these firms under the independent power producer (IPP) scheme, estimates that the planned power plants will produce enough electricity to also feed the Java-Bali power grid.<\/p>\n
Therefore, Herman said, the transmission projects, once completed, will be able to supply electricity from Sumatra to Java, where blackouts are also frequent.<\/p>\n
Among the power plants to be built are the 2,400-megawatt plant in Bangko, South Sumatra, and the 1,600-megawatt plant in Muara Enim, South Sumatra. Those plants will be operated by a Chinese firm, China Huadian, and local coal miner, PT Bumi Resources, respectively.<\/p>\n
Last week, PLN awarded six contracts worth Rp 913 billion (some US$99.7 million) to local firms for the construction of power transmission lines in Java, five of which are for the construction of transmission lines for new coal-fired power plants under the 10,000-megawatt crash program.<\/p>\n
Under this program, PLN will build 10 coal-fired power plants with a total capacity of 6,900 megawatts in Java and 25 power plants outside Java with a total capacity of 3,100 megawatts.<\/p>\n
The construction of some of the projects has already commenced.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pln-to-put-sumatra-and-java-power-transmission-projects-out-to-tender-1191306009", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }