Batam's gas-fired power plant will operate in Sept 2004

The management of PT Pelayanan Listrik Nasional Batam (PLN Batam) said that the construction work of 2x27.5 megawatt gas ?fired Panaran power plant in Batam island would be finished in August 2004 and start operating in September.

Ida Bagus G. Mardhawa Padangratha, PT PLN Batam?s deputy director of information and technology said, based on technical estimation, the construction of the power plant will be completed in August.

?It means the gas ?fired power plant will start its operation in September and provide electricity to the customers of PT PLN Batam in this island,? Ida Bagus said in Batam over the weekend.

However, according to Ida Bagaus, they can only predict because the project can be delayed due to other technical reasons.

Meanwhile, PT PLN Batam?s president director Ery Ifyandri said that that the upstream oil and gas authority BP Migas has already approved a deal between the power plant and ConocoPhillips regarding the price of gas at a rate of US$2.99 per million British thermal unit.

?We are thankful (to God) because the gas price which we agreed was very competitive and it would have a positive impact on the plant?s operations in future,? said Ery. (*)