Australia?s Cokal to build power plant in C. Kalimantan

Australian coal mining company Cokal Limited plans to build a coal-fired power plant with a capacity of 2 x 30 megawatt (MW) in Murung Raya regency, Central Kalimantan, Investor Daily reported on Thursday.

Cokal?s Vice President Harun Abidin said on Wednesday that the company would invest up to US$100 million for the construction of the power plant and a port which would be used to receive coal supply.

Harun said that the electricity to be produced from the power plant would not be sold to state electricity company PLN but to the local regency government which would distribute it to households and industries in the regency.

He said that the construction would be completed in 18 months so that the plant would be able to begin commercial operation in 2013.

The plant?s coal needs would be supplied by PT Petak Malay Buluh Merindo, which is owned by the local government. Coal mines in the regency can produce up to 10 million tons a year, and are now in exploration stages. (*)