Power cut hits parts of Sumatra

Power cut hits parts of Sumatra

Puji Santoso, Pekanbaru

Power blackouts sometimes lasting longer than three hours have
been a frequent occurrence in Riau province during the past two
weeks, and the provincial government wants answers from the power
suppliers.

Riau Governor Rusli Zainal expressed concern on Friday about
the cuts, saying the electricity supply in the province was still
far from expectations.

"Electricity for household use is not adequate, let alone for
industries," he said in the provincial capital of Pekanbaru.

The governor promised to summon local state electricity
company PLN directors to explain the reason for the blackouts. He
would also ask them what was being done to rectify the situation
in the short term, he said.

Rusli said the administration was working to overcome the
electricity problems in Riau and was planning to set a up gas and
steam-powered electricity plant in Teluklembu in cooperation with
a British company.

Meanwhile, Riau-based PLN general manager Ahmad Taufik Haji
appealed to the public to remain patient over the blackouts.

Taufik said an increase in demand had led to the power
shortage.

The number of prospective power subscribers in Riau has
increased to around 6,000 in recent times, including about 2,500
applicants registered by the Riau office of the Indonesian Real
Estate Association (REI).

The growth in power customers meant a power crisis was also
looming in West Sumatra and Jambi, Taufik said. "It is likely to
be difficult for us to meet the needs of new customers," he said.

The current situation where demand for electricity was greater
than PLN's capacity, meant the company had to prioritize new
installations for residential power, he said.

"Our priority is household customers, while industries have to
take second place at the moment, Taufik said.

Taufik admitted some PLN officials were taking advantage of
the unfavorable conditions for personal gain.

The PLN was completing its online registering system to
prevent such irregularities, he said. The system would "impose a
first-come-first-serve" basis.

"An applicant's turn (to be connected) will be determined by
the computer automatically," Taufik said.