Soeharto due to dedicate power projects

JAKARTA (JP): Next month President Soeharto is expected to inaugurate power projects which have been established at total costs of approximately Rp 2 trillion (US$912.4 million), says the chief executive of the state electricity company PLN.

"The inauguration ceremony will be held at the industrial complex of a geothermal plant on Mount Salak in West Java," Zuhal told reporters after meeting with Soeharto at the latter's residence yesterday.

Zuhal said the projects to be inaugurated include a geothermal power plant on Mount Salak, a coal-fired power plant in Bukit Asam of South Sumatra, a number of diesel-fueled power stations and distribution facilities in various parts of the country.

"We have yet to wait for a decision on the date of their inauguration," he said.

The power plant on Mount Salak, which has a capacity of 55 megawatts, is supported by geothermal steam produced nearby by Unocal of the United States.

Zuhal said that PLN is also constructing a similar plant with a capacity of 55 megawatts on Mount Salak and will set up another one of the same caliber.

PLN will invite private companies to establish three other units, each with a capacity of 55 megawatts, in the same area, he said.

Zuhal said that besides reporting on preparations for the planned inauguration, he also reported to the president about PLN's plan to establish power generation subsidiaries, whose shares will be partly sold to the public through the capital market. (riz)