Power shortages continues in Riau for forseeable future

Puji Santoso, Pekanbaru, Riau

The hopes of Riau people that there would be a speedy end to the frequent blackouts in the province appear likely to be dashed, with the power shortages set to continue for the foreseeable future.

The Kotopanjang hydroelectric power plant, the main supplier of electricity to mainland Riau, is unable to meet electricity demand due to the prolonged drought that has resulted in a drastic decrease in water flow.

"We can only operate two of the three turbines daily, and not at maximum capacity," said Tony Hutabarat, the manager of the Pekanbaru office of state electricity company PLN in Pekanbaru on Saturday.

"The water level in the reservoir has gradually dropped over the last two months. It has so far dropped by three meters," he said.

The ideal water level for the Kotopanjang hydro plant to operate at full capacity is 81.5 meters, whereas the level at present is 79 meters. This has resulted in a major reduction in water supplies.

Normally, the Kotopanjang hydro plant is capable of generating 114 megawatts (MW) of electricity. But it is currently only producing a maximum of 40 MW during the day and 70 MW at night.

To meet the Riau mainland's electricity needs of 174 MW, supplies must be taken from the power plants in Singkarak, Ombilin and Pauh Limo in West Sumatra, and the Teluklembu gas- fired power plant in Teluk Kuantan.

The situation has forced PLN to resort to rolling blackouts. "We apologize to all PLN customers as we have yet to get to grips with the supply problem," said Tony, adding that the company was seeking ways to augment power supplies so as to finally put an end to the electricity shortage.

Mainland Riau PLN spokesman Delvis said that the electricity company had started operating a new turbine at the Teluklembu steam-powered power plant on Friday in an effort to overcome the power shortages that had been affecting the area for the past two weeks.

But he said that this was still not enough, and that as a result PLN had to impose rolling blackouts affecting 200,000 customers.

"Another turbine began operating at the Teluklembu power plant on Saturday of last week. This turbine will supply another 16 MW of power," he said.

He added, however, that thus far the new turbine could not function to the maximum. It was so far only functioning as an electricity capacitor for mainland Riau.

PLN said it was making efforts to procure more generators to overcome the continuing power shortages.