Antam seeks to improve blade at coal-fired power plant

By Thomas sembiring

IDX-listed mining firm PT Aneka Tambang Tbk (Antam) said there was problem at a turbine blade of its new 2x30 MW coal-fired power plant at the ferronickel smelter complex in Pomalaa, Southeast Sulawesi.

Antam President Director Tedy Badrujaman said on Monday that construction progress of the power plant has reached 99 percent, and the company is currently seeking to improve the turbine blade.

?There?s a problem at the blade. It still can be used, but we have asked it to be perfected,? he said, adding that the power plant will start production before the end of this year as targeted.

Meanwhile, regarding coal supply for the plant, Tedy said there are a number of alternatives including from third parties or its coal mining subsidiary.

Antam Operational Director Agus Zamzam said last month that the power plant was expected to start commercial production in September of this year. He said that about 5 MW of the power output will be allocated for local community via state-owned power firm PT PLN.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak