Govt to set up team to accelerate 35,000 MW power projects

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Sudirman Said said that the government would set up a national team to help accelerate the development of the planned 35,000 MW power plants.

He was quoted by Kompas as saying Wednesday that the presidential regulation to set up the team was still being drafted.

He added that Coordinating Minister for the Economy, and Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs will be in the steering committee, while the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources to hold the executive chairman of the team.

The government of President Joko Widodo has set an ambitious target to develop power plants with a combined capacity of 35,000 MW until 2019 in a bid to help increase power supply and accelerate economic growth. Development of power projects in the country have often been hampered by various problems notably difficulties in land acquisition and lengthy permitting process. (*)