Power consumption rises

JAKARTA (JP): State electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) says power consumption on the islands of Java and Bali increased in April, indicating the outset of an economic recovery.

Company president Adhi Satriya said on Tuesday daily power consumption on the Java-Bali power grid averaged 10,200 Megawatt (MW) in April, compared to last year's average daily power consumption of 9,400 MW.

He said daily power consumption on the grid averaged 10,000 MW in 1997, in which mid-year an economic crisis hit the region, including Indonesia.

Adhi said the increase in power consumption might indicate the beginning of the economic recovery.

Java and Bali's current power demand was still much lower than the combined power generation capacity of power plants on the islands which reached 14,000 MW and 15,000 MW, Adhi told Antara. (jsk)