No blackouts on Monday, Wednesday not as lucky
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
No blackouts were reported in Java and Bali on Monday despite the reduced power supply in the area, although the planned rotating blackouts would likely take place on Wednesday, the state utility firm PT PLN said on Tuesday.
PLN previously said the work on lines connecting BP Plc.,'s Offshore Northwest Java field would cut power supplies to the 500-megawatt PLTGU Muara Karang and the 1,100-megawatt PLTGU Tanjung Priok generators, which supplies the Java-Bali power network, by up to 385 megawatts (MW) from May 23 to June 6.
And with demand that reaches as high as 14,800 MW during peak hours, exceeding the generating capacity of about 14,414 MW, PLN announced possible rotating blackouts in Java and Bali areas in peak hours of between 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. during that period.
No blackouts however, took place on Monday, as demand, even at peak hours, remained below the power capacity produced by PLN, according to Ario Subijoko, spokesman for PLN Disjaya, which covers power distribution in Greater Jakarta.
Power demand during that time in fact declined by 500 MW to 13,894 MW, in what Ario said was a result of the public's willingness to reduce their power consumption, thanks to the firm's extensive campaign over the past few days.
Still, PLN Disjaya's manager for distribution Edi Sriyanto warned on Tuesday that the blackouts would most likely take place on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, as power demand is predicted to exceed the capacity by 359 MW, 384 MW and 212 MW, respectively.
"Therefore, we urge the public to cut power consumption by at least two light bulbs, or equal to 50 W, during peak hours to help avoid the rotating blackouts," Edi said as reported by Antara.
Power has become an increasingly serious issue over the past few years in the country, as demand continues to grow but supply remains stagnant due to a lack of investment in the sector.
The state firm has said it would need some US$5 billion in new investment for the 2002-2006 period and $28.5 billion to build at least 47 power plants and 14 high-voltage transmission lines over the next 10 years, to keep up with the rapidly increasing demand.