MKI suggests separation of PLN's roles

By Tri Subhki R

Indonesian Electricity Society (Masyarakat Ketenagalistrikan Indonesia) suggests the government strip state owned electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) (Persero) of its function as a government agent vis-a-vis independent power producers in order to accelerate the development of 35,000 MW power projects.

"PLN's roles as a government agent and a corporate entity should be separated. PLN should focus on its corporate role and give its role as government agent back to the government," Heru Dewanto, Secretary General of MKI, said in the Coaltrans Conference on Tuesday.

The suggestion was expressed during a panel discussion in the conference to talk about the slow progress of 35,000 MW projects.

One of the panelists mentioned about the conflicting interest of PLN as a regulator and executor at the same time.

Dharma Djojonegoro, Deputy CEO of PT Adaro Power, stated that 35,000 MW project, which is targeted to complete by 2019, is an unprecedented big task for PLN.

Editing by Johannes Simbolon