Chevron?s two geothermal projects cancelled

Two geothermal power projects to be developed by Chevron in West Java have been discontinued due to the lack of geothermal reserves, PLN?s top official has said.

Speaking during a hearing with the Commission VII of the House of Representatives on Monday, PLN?s president director Nur Pamudji said that the two projects were the construction of units 4 and 5 (2 x 55 megawatt) of the PLTP Drajat geothermal power plant in Garut and the PLTP Gunung Salak geothermal plant (1 x 40 MW) in Sukabumi, both in West Java

The capacity of the geothermal reserves is not enough for the development of more power plants,? he said, adding that the two projects would be taken out from the second-10,000 megawatt power plant development crash program which is currently underway.

PLN said earlier that Java-Bali electricity grid received additional supply of 110 megawatts in July or August this year from the operation of the third unit of Chevron?s Drajat geothermal power plant.

Chevron has invested US$140 million on the plant. Chevron also operates the 90-MW Drajat 2 unit and sells steam to Indonesia Power, which operates the 55-MW Drajat I unit. (edi)