Gas pipe tie-in project will reduce power supply in Java and Bali

The power supply in Java and Bali will suffer a deficit of between 77 megawatt and 267 megawatt for at least 10 days beginning in May 23 due to the installation of new gas pipes to Muara Karang and Tanjung Periok power plants, Kompas reported on Wednesday.

State owned electricity company PLN announced on Tuesday that BP Offshore North West Java would tie in new pipes to the existing pipeline which links the two power plants. The installation of the new pipes, which would be commenced on May 23 would take at least 10 days to be completed, he said.

"The tie-in project will totally cut off the gas supply to the two power plants," the company said, adding that although PLN would use diesel oil to operate Murakarang and Tanjung Priok ports, the power supply from the two power plants would suffer a sharp decline. PLN said that it would spend at least Rp 79 billion to buy the diesel oil during the transition period.

PLN appealed to its customers to reduce the use of electricity particularly during peak hours at between 17:30 to 22:00 to minimize the impact of the lower electricity supply. Power blackout in certain areas could not be avoided during the 10-day period, PLN said.

The tie-in would be able to increase the gas supply to the two power plants to 265 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD) from 210 MMSCFD at present. With the increase in the gas supply, PLN will be able to cut operational cost by Rp 746.8 billion a year. (*)