Musi hydro power plant to start operation in April 2006

Musi's new hydro power plant, which is located at Kepahiang in Bengkulu province, will begin operation in April 2006, the Investor Daily Indonesia newspaper reported in its Wednesday edition.

In order to support the functioning of the plant, state-owned electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) will release water from its regulating dam into Simpang Aur and Lemau rivers.

"Trials to release water will be done in two phases. During the first phase on Aug.3, the water will be released at a speed of 15.5 cubic meter per second. And on Aug. 27 during the second phase, the water will be released at a speed of 38.4 cubic meters per second," PLN official Dalyono, who is responsible for the power projects in Southern Sumatra area, said in Bengkulu on Tuesday.

According to Dalyono, Musi plant is being built to increase the power supply in Sumatra region.

The plant will have 3x70 MW capacity and it will produce 1,140 GWh per year, including 468 GWh pimary energy and 672 GWh secondary energy.(*)