Power crisis looms in S. Kalimantan

Power crisis looms in S. Kalimantan

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: South Kalimantan will soon face a serious power crisis as its hydroelectric power plant (PLTA) Riam Kanan cannot supply enough power to the province due to decreasing water supply to the plant.

The volume of water at Riam Kanan dam is now well below the crisis level of 52 meters, forcing the power plant to stop operating two of three turbines. With only one turbine in operation, Riam Kanan can supply only ten megawatts (MW) of electricity from a current capacity of 27 MW.

Built in the 1980s using funds from the Japan Economic Cooperation Fund, Riam Kanan is also designed to supply water to 25,900 hectares of paddy fields in the province.

However, an official of state electricity company PT PLN played down the power crisis threat, saying that the company would maximize the use of its 43 MW Diesel Fuel Power Plant (PLTD), 130 MW Steam Power Plant (PLTU), and its 15 MW Gas Power Plant. --Antara