Batam-Bintan interconnected power transmission to operate in June

By Godang Sitompul

State-owned electricity company PT. Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) expected the interconnected power transmission between Batam and Bintan islands to be operational in June of 2014, according to a senior official at PLN Batam.

?The operation of the interconnection facility is expected to reduce the use of diesel-fired power plants, and thus cut down cost,? said Tagor Sidjabat, Operation Director of PLN Batam to Petromindo.com Monday.

PLN signed in March a contract with a consortium led by Viscas Corp. to build an interconnected power transmission to connect the power systems in Batam and Bintan islands in Riau Islands Province.

The power transmission project consists of the west corridor and the east corridor. The west corridor consists of one kilometer of 150 kV underground power cable and 3.45 kilometer sub-sea cable from the steam-fired power plant (PLTU) Tanjung Kasam in Batam Island to Tanjung Sauh Island and to Ngenang Island, which are both located between Batam and Bintan islands. The east corridor consists of 6.55 kilometer sub-sea cable of 150 kilo Volt (kV) from Ngenang Island to Tanjung Taloh in Bintan Island.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak