Govt's fast track power program not supported by adequate infrastructure

The government's plan to build a number of coal-fired power plants as part of its fast-track program to provide additional power supply of about 10,000 megawatt within the next few years has not been supported by a comprehensive planning on the construction of their infrastructure especially related to the transportation of coal for the planned power projects.

The chairman of the association of coal mining companies Jeffrey Mulyono said in Jakarta on Friday that there should be a comprehensive planning to build the infrastructure for the transportation of about 40 million tons of coal a year needed by the new power plants.

"Coal mining companies should be informed where the new power projects to be built so that they will have enough time to prepare the transportation system especially related to the coal shipment," Jeffrey said.

In its fast track program, the government plans to build a number of new coal-fired power plans with total capacity of about 10,000 MW to replace the costly gas and diesel oil fired power plants.

Director General of Coal and Geothermal at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Simon F. Sembiring acknowledged that the supporting facilities for the new power plants especially those related for the transportation of their coal needs had not been ready yet.

"But for the supply of coal, I think it will not be a serious problem. (State electricity firm) PLN can soon open a tender and cooperate with the tender winners on how to provide the coal supply for the new power plants," he said. (Godang)