Soeharto due to dedicate power projects

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)