N. Sumatra and some parts in Aceh will face rotational blackout
Saturday, January 10 2004 - 02:55 AM WIB
State electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) will implement a blackout system on rotation basis in northern part of Sumatra island for at least 75 days due to major overhaul of gas turbine (GT) 12, which has a capacity of 190 Megawatts (MW), Harian Ekonomi Neraca newspaper reported in its Saturday edition quoting PLN’s northern Sumatra official.
According to general manager for power generation and distribution for northern Sumatra Bambang Susianto, the GT 12 machine was down because it had reached 86,000 operational hours, or every four years the machine needs a major overhaul.
“It (major overhaul) will be done during 75 days by working 24 hours a day and it will be, hopefully, completed on March 14, 2004,” Bambang said.
During the major overhaul at GT 12, the electricity supply will be stopped to consumers on a rotation basis for one hour when the load factor is in its peak farm (6 p.m. to 10 p.m.). Because, the electricity system in North Sumatra province and some parts in Aceh will face power shortages of around 100 MW, he said. (*)