China Huadian to start construction of Asahan hydro power plant

China Huadian Corporation will start building the 2x90 MW Asahan I hydro power plant in Porsea, Toba Samosir regency in July with a total investment estimated at Rp 2.5 trillion (US$271.7 million), The Jakarta Post reported Wednesday.

?Currently, we're in the preparation phase, moving equipment to the project site and other engineering work to build a 6.5-kilometer tunnel of eight meters wide. The construction will be completed sooner with everyone's support,? said Minister Counselor Economic and Commercial, Embassy of the People's Republic of China, Tan Weiwen.

Tan Weiwen, accompanied by Vice President of China Huadian Corporation, Xie Chunwang, said a team had been deployed at the site following the ground-breaking ceremony in February this year. Preparations are expected to be completed in June at the latest.

Xie Chunwang said the project, jointly conducted with PT Bajradaya Sentranusa, was expected to starts operating in 2009 to augment the province's power supply. (*)