APLSI demands govt to prioritize local firms in hydro power projects

The Indonesia Private Power Producers Association (APLSI) urged the Ministry of Public Works and People?s Housing to prioritize local power companies in the planned tender to develop hydro power plants in eight dams.

APLSI Executive Chairman Arthur Simatupang said in a statement Monday that prioritizing local companies particularly small to medium-scale enterprises is in line with the vision of President Joko Widodo for more local companies to be engaged in the development of the country?s power sector.

As has been previously reported, the ministry plans to hold tender for the development of hydro power plants in eight dams.

The eight is part of the 16 dams which have been identified by the ministry to have the potential to produce electricity. They include Banjulmati Dam in Banyuwangi with a potential of 0.34 MW, Tugu Dam in Trenggalek (0.4MW), both located in East Java; Kuningan Dam in Kuningan, West Java (0.5MW); Tukul Dam in Pacitan, also in East Java, (0.64MW); Titab Dam in Buleleng, Bali (1.5MW), Karaloe in Gowa, South Sulawesi (5 MW); and Jatigede in Sumedang, West Java (110 MW).

The government is also currently developing 13 new dams, 11 of which have the potential to produce electricity.

Meanwhile, APLSI Secretary General Priamanaya Djan called on the ministry to quickly complete drafting the regulation on licensing and cooperation with the ministry in the development of hydro power plant projects in dams.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak