Mahakam system enjoys power surplus

The Mahakam power system, which supplies electricity to consumers in Balikpapan and Samarinda cities, and in Kutai Kartanegara Regency, in East Kalimantan, received on Friday additional power capacity following the entry of electricity from the 70 MW East Kalimantan gas-fired power plant (Peaking), Kompas daily reported Saturday.

Spokesman of the East Kalimantan branch of state-owned electricity firm PLN, Imam Taufiq said that the new power plant located in Kutai Karatengara Regency has been on trial production since December 16 at a capacity of 38 MW, and on Friday was tested at capacity of 70 MW.

With the additional power supply, the effective capacity of Mahakam system has expanded to 361.5 MW. As the peak demand stands at 331 MW, the system now enjoys a surplus capacity of 30.5 MW. ?The additional capacity will support the Mahakam system particularly in dealing with peak demand in the evening,? said Imam. (*)