Govt completes evaluation of 18 dams for hydro power plant projects

The Ministry of Public Works and People?s Housing has completed the evaluation process of 18 dams and is set to offer them to investors to develop hydro power plants, Bisnis Indonesia reported on Monday.

The paper quoted Secretary General of the ministry Taufik Widjoyono as saying that agreement with investors for the development of hydro power plants or mini hydro power plants at the dam sites, which have potential to produce 262.04 MW of electricity, is expected to be made in August of this year.

He added that once the agreement has been reached, construction process hopefully can immediately start as the projects are part of the government?s five-year program to develop a combined 35,000 MW power plants until 2019.

Taufik said that the Ministry of Finance has agreed to provide incentives for investors in the hydro power plant projects as it is considered as renewable energy project.

He added that the government has also completed the necessary regulations to facility private sector engagement in developing hydro power plants at dam sites owned by the ministry.

Elsewhere, Taufik said that the ministry is also considering plan to offer to investors 65 dams that have potential to produce 408 MW of electricity. (*)