Grati power plant halts operation due to lack of fuel
Tuesday, June 21 2005 - 02:13 AM WIB
The state owned electricity company PLN said that the halt in the operation of the Granti power plant which has a capacity of 750 megawatt, had resulted in the decline in the power supply in the Java-Bali distribution network by about 658 megawatt.
As the consequence, PLN had to reduce the power supply of about 212 megawatt in Jakarta, about 76 megawatt in Banten, by about 128 megawatt in West Java, by about 94 megawatt in Central Java and about 18 megawatt in Bali.
In order to cope with the power shortage, PLN will have to cut off the power supply in several areas during the peak hours between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. through its rotating blackout operation until the power plant can resumes its normal operation.
PLN said that the Tambang Lorok steam power plant in Semarang could also stop its operation within the next two days if the fuel supply for the 1000 MW power plant was not increased. According to PLN, the existing fuel stock is only enough for Wednesday operation.
Muljo Adji AG, the head of PLN's power distribution department, said that the shortage of the fuel supply was caused due to the decline in the supply from Pertamina. Muljo said that Peramina promised to provide additional fuel supply to the Grati power plant on Tuesday (today).
"Even if the power plant receives the fuel supply today, it will be able to resume operation only on Thursday, because it will take at least 24 hours to carry out the preparation works," he said.
Earlier reported said that Pertamina had reduced its fuel supply to PLN because the ceiling of the subsidized diesel fuel allocated for the electricity company for this year has been achieved.
Pertamina said that it would increase the power supply only if PLN agreed to buy the fuel at a market price.(godang)