N. Sumatra to lease 65 MW generator set to overcome power shortage

State electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN)?s North Sumatra area unit is organizing a tender for lease of a 65 megawatt (MW) generator set.

The leasing of generator set is the PLN?s move to overcome the power crisis in that area.

Legal and public relations manager of PLN?s North Sumatra and Nanggroe Aceh Darusalam (Sumbagut) power generation unit Marojahan Batubara said the leasing was necessary in order to prevent rotational blackouts in North Sumatra and nearby places because of power deficit in that area.

"The 65 MW electricity is expected to be added into the area?s power system in 2007,? Marojahan told Bisnis Indonesia in Medan on Monday.

Marojahan explained that the notice for the lease of 65 MW generator set was already issued and it is expected that interested businesspeople would submit their proposals in December.

?PLN will directly appoint a company which offers the lowest price. It will be the PLN?s short term move to overcome rotational blackouts in this area,? he said.

According to Marojahan, Sumbagut needs 1,050 MW but PLN?s load factor is just 815 MW. (*)