Power consumption declines on energy saving drive<\/p>\n
Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The government said on Wednesday that peak-time power consumption
\nhad declined by more than half after President Susilo Bambang
\nYudhoyono issued a presidential instruction on energy
\nconservation last week.<\/p>\n
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro
\nsaid that power consumption in the Java-Bali network during peak
\nhours between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. had declined by 900 megawatts
\n(MW) from 1,500 MW to 600 MW.<\/p>\n
\"So far, there has been a significant decline in power
\nconsumption since the President issued the energy conservation
\ninstruction. As for fuel, we can't determine the results yet as
\nthe calculations are not so straightforward as in the case of
\npower,\" he explained.<\/p>\n
He said that the power savings were very encouraging as the
\ninstruction was not legally binding on the public, but was rather
\ndependent on people's goodwill.<\/p>\n
Purnomo added that the government had decided not to
\nimmediately issue binding regulations for reducing both power and
\nfuel consumption as initially planned as the impact would be
\nsevere on both the public and the economy in general.<\/p>\n
\"We acknowledge that the instruction is only an appeal. But
\neventually, we will issue the necessary, legally binding
\nregulations stipulating restrictions on fuel consumption,
\nespecially subsidized premium gasoline,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Presidential Instruction No. 10\/2005 was signed during a
\nCabinet meeting on July 10, which was also attended by executives
\nof state oil and gas firm PT Pertamina and 33 governors.<\/p>\n
The instruction requires government offices to reduce power
\nconsumption on air conditioners, lighting and office appliances,
\nand the use of official vehicles.<\/p>\n
The instruction also states that local governments should
\npromote the program among the public and private sector in their
\nrespective jurisdictions, and issue regulations establishing a
\nprogressive vehicle taxation system.<\/p>\n
The government has set a quota of 59.69 million kiloliters for
\ndomestic fuel consumption this year, with fuel subsidies expected
\nto cost Rp 76.5 trillion (US$7.88 billion).<\/p>\n
But demand for fuel rose by 10 percent in the first semester.
\nThis is of concern to the government -- particularly with global
\noil prices hovering at above $60 per barrel recently -- as
\nadditional fuel subsidy spending will further strain the already
\noverstretched state budget.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/power-consumption-declines-on-energy-saving-drive-1447893297",
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