Bali opposes Bedugul geothermal project

Bali provincial government has rejected a geothermal-fired power plant in Bedugul, providing instead an alternative in Celukanbawang, Buleleng regency.

Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika said the rejection was based on several social, cultural and environmental studies and had nothing to do with political aspect. ?It is based purely on researches and calculation on electricity needs in Bali,? he said as reported by Bisnis Indonesia.

?The geothermal exploration runs counter with the concept of Bali going towards Green Province.?

Previously Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik has asked for the realization of the project, which he said, was necessary to fulfill the province?s electricity needs that have now reached a peak load of 600.03 MW.

The project?s developer, PT Bali Energy Limited, has spent up to US$60 million for the 3x55 MW plant, from feasibility studies to exploration.

Pastika added that the province?s growing power demand would be supplied from Java through undersea connection and the Bali Crossing tower.

The Bali Crossing project is being developed by state electricity firm PT PLN and would install an aerial cable installation connecting Java and Bali, and would add around 3,000 megawatts of electricity supply.(*)