No more electricity problem at Arun LNG Plant

Although the electricity supply at the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant in Arun, Lhokseumawe has returned to normal, the LNG plant has yet to operate at its full capacity, Neraca reported on Monday.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro said in Jakarta over the weekend that the Arun LNG plant still operated at its 60-percent capacity although the electricity problem had been overcome

He said that the recent halt of the electricity supply due to short-circuit had affected gas processing activities at the plant?s clusters III and IV. ?The facilities at the clusters III and IV have resumed operation but they are able to operate only at 60 percent capacity,? he said, adding that if these facilities could not operate at full capacity for long time, the LNG exports could be affected.

Asked if the electricity problem was caused by sabotage, the minister said that he did not know yet. ?I am still waiting for the report,? he added.

The Arun power plant has received an extensive security protection from the country?s army and police due the worsening of the armed conflicts with the separatist movement in the troubled province.

The minister said that the plant?s facilities in the clusters I and II were not affected by the electricity problem. (*)