Asamasam unit 4 to begin operation this month

Coal- fired power plant Asamasam Unit 4 in Tanah Laut, South Kalimantan is expected to begin commercial operation later this month following the inauguration of the plant?s unit 3 in April, this year, Kompas reported on Thursday.

Like the plant?s other three generators, the Unit 4 has a capacity of 65 megawatt. The plant?s total capacity is 260 megawatt.

South Kalimantan governor Rudi Arifin said that the unit 3 which began operation in April was still unable to operate at a full capacity. Technical problems had for several times interrupted its operation because the new generator which used the Chinese technology was still adapting with the existing system, he added.

Rudy hoped that the unit 5 -7 each with capacity of 65 megawatt could be completed in 2013 so that they could begin commercial operation in 2014. ?After the completion of the unit 5-7, other power plant with a capacity of 65 megawatt will be built in Tabalong to cope with the power shortage in the province,? he added. (*)