Inco inaugurates commissioning of Karebbe Hydroelectric Power Plant
Tuesday, October 11 2011 - 11:47 AM WIB
The commissioning ceremonies of the US$ 410 million project were also attended by government officials from the local, provincial and national levels.
?We are a company committed to growth ? growth of our nickel business, growth of our employees and growth of our communities,? said Inco President Director Nico Kanter. ?Our Karebbe Hydroelectric Power Plant is the latest example of how our business activities provide the infrastructure necessary to support this aggressive growth platform.?
At the inauguration, Inco and Vale also announced plans to invest significantly in the country over the next five years to increase annual nickel production from 73,000 metric tons to 120,000 metric tons.
?Karebbe represents a $410 million investment in our future,? said Vale President and CEO Murilo Ferreira. ?It provides a clean, reliable source of electric power that is the driver for our entire growth program and a building block in creating a long-term, sustainable future for our Indonesian operations.?
With Karebbe, Inco is committed to provide additional 3 MW of power through Luwu Timur government for distribution in coordination with the state electricity company PT PLN to the communities. The additional power is enough to meet the electricity needs in the area over the course of a year. This brings total power donated by Inco for distribution to the communities to 8 MW.
For Kanter, the Karebbe commissioning represents far more than an answer to the company?s energy needs. ?Karebbe reflects the commitment the two companies share to a better future for the people of Sorowako and surrounding communities.?
The Hydroelectric Power Plant located in Karebbe, Luwu Timur, South Sulawesi, provides most of the power required for Inco?s ore processing plant at Sorowako.
The project was designed and implemented to cover the demand for additional power as a result of increased nickel production at the Sorowako production facilities and to cope with large load swings that occur during operation of high voltage furnaces at the nickel plant.
?The Karebbe Hydroelectric Power project reflects Vale?s commitment to the country and the people of Indonesia in general, and the people of Sorowako in particular,? said Kanter. (alex)