Muara Karang, T. Priok power plants to use diesel oil in May

State owned electricity compay PLN's Mura Karang and Tanjung Priok power plants in North Jakarta will use diesel oil for at least two weeks in May due the planned cut in the gas supply from BP Indonesia's Muara Tawar gas field during the month, Investor Daily reported on Monday.

The head of PLN's transmission control and supply management division, Muljo Adji said in Jakarta on Saturday that PLN would cooperate with state owned oil and gas company Pertamina in the purchase of the diesel oil for the two power plants.

"The two power plants, technically, have no problems to use oil fuel, because they can both use gas and oil. But PLN will need to provide extra-cost of about Rp 80 billion to finance the diesel oil, " he was quoted as saying.

He said that PLN would try its best that the cut in the gas supply would not affect the electricity supply to the public. However, he called on the public to save the energy use during the two-week period.

PLN's director for power generation and prime energy, had earlier said that BP Indonesia would temporarily cut its gas supply from the Muara Tawar field for at least two weeks in May due to an overhaul of the company's gas processing equipment.

He said that the cut in the gas supply would affect PLN's Muara Karang and Tanjung Priok power plants. At present, BP Indonesia has a contract to supply about 260 million cubic feet per day to the two combined cycle power plants. (*)