Indonesia Power presses ahead with gasification program

PT Indonesia Power (IP), a subsidiary of state owned electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), will press ahead with the so-called gasification program aimed at replacing oil with gas as fuel for its power plants.

IP corporate secretary Noesita Indriani said on Thursday the firm operates a number of power plants across the country with a combined capacity of 9,072 megawatt (MW). Of the total capacity, 3,800 MW has potential or is ready to use gas.

?The problem is that there isn?t enough gas available,? she said.

The firm now has a combined 670 MW capacity that is fired with gas, including 370 MW at the Semarang power plant and 300 MW at the Grati power plant.

According to Noesita, the firm is now focusing among others on gasification program at the 1,359 MW Semarang power plant that is expected to increase the gas-fired capacity to 1000 M. The firm will also raise the gas-fired capacity at Grati to 460 MW. Meanwhile, the gas-fired capacity at the Tanjung Priok power plant will be raised to 1000 MW.

She noted the firm also wants to implement the gasification program at the Bali power plant, but classifies the power plant as ?not yet ready for gasification? for now, due to gas unavailability.,

The firm is studying the possibility of building a mini LNG plant there to ensure gas supplies for the Bali power plant. (Giok)