Negotiations over resumption of 17 power projects concluded last month: Minister

The government by last month had concluded negotiations on resumption of 17 power projects, a senior economic minister said Wednesday.

They were among the 27 privately owned power projects suspended by the government in the wake of the 1997 financial crisis.

The 17 projects had capacity to generate a combined 9,315 megawatts (MW) of electricity, said Coordinating Ministers for the Economy Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti in a hearing with a House commission in charge of energy and mineral resources.

Dorodjatun said renegotiations on two other power projects were expected for conclusion in mid-2003. Together, they had capacity to generate 390 MW of electricity, said the minister, who also chairs a government special team in charge of renegotiations with independent power producers.

Last July, seven of the 27 projects were resumed namely Paiton I and Paiton II in East Java; Tanjung Jati B (Central Java); Salak and Darajat (West Java); Sengkang (South Sulawesi); and Lahendong (North Sulawesi). (godang)