PLN told to delay power plants overhaul

PLN told to delay power plants overhaul

Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The government will delay the planned overhaul of a number of
power plants to avoid shortfalls in power supply during the
current, prolonged dry season.

"We have ordered PLN to delay its overhaul plans. All power
plants must be prepared to take appropriate action in the event
of a severe drought," Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources
Purnomo Yusgiantoro said on Thursday, referring to the state-
owned electricity company.

Purnomo said that the postponement of overhaul plans could
ensure that an additional power supply of 1,500 to 2,000
megawatts (MW) were maintained.

"We have also asked PLN to maximize the generating capacity of
old power plants as a precaution," he added.

However, he acknowledged that the delay would cause a serious
reduction in the performance of the power plants in the future.

According to PLN, some 214 power generators of different types
exist in the main Java-Bali network. Around 20 power generators
at a time are usually subject to routine maintenance work.

PLN warned earlier that a severe power supply shortfall was
imminent in the Java-Bali region, as a number of hydropower
plants might have to stop operating due to low water levels in
reservoirs if the current drought extended until October.

The power firm warned that power supply shortfalls would
become increasingly serious when a number of coal- and oil-fired
power plants were scheduled for routine overhaul in October.

PLN president Eddie Widiono said this year's drought was
lasting longer than predicted. Therefore, certain measures had to
be taken to prevent power supply shortfalls.

"If hydropower plants are not operating, power supply will
decline by 900 to 1,000 MW," Eddie was quoted by Antara as
saying.

Hydropower plants contribute some 2,536 MW to the Java-Bali
network, or 14 percent of the total supply for the region.

At present, PLN can supply only slightly above the peak load
of about 13,250 MW, from a total installed capacity of 18,000 MW.
This leaves the Jawa-Bali power system vulnerable to power
disruption.

In order to avoid this, PLN has to set aside a reserve of a
minimum of 615 MW or more in case of problems at a major power
plant. However, PLN has a reserve capacity of less than 400 MW.

Purnomo added PLN was still negotiating with a number of
businesses on the possibility of buying their independently
generated, unused power.

PLN director of power plants and distribution Herman Darnel
Ibrahim said the company had clinched a deal to buy some 80 MW
from state-owned steelmaker PT Krakatau Steel.

"Krakatau has also agreed to cut its power usage by 200 MW and
to operate outside peak-load hours," Herman told The Jakarta
Post.

According to Herman, unused power (as described above) in Java
alone totaled about 9,000 MW.