Pertamina and PLN take measures to secure energy supply in Jakarta

State oil and gas firm PT Pertamina and the state electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) have taken measures to safeguard energy supply in Jakarta, which has been severely affected by floods, the Bisnis Indonesia newspaper reported in its Monday edition.

Pertamina has readied additional stock of gasoline at outside its Plumpang Depot, which is completely drowned in floodwaters, in an effort to secure the gasoline supply in the capital.

Meanwhile, PLN has closed down its 2,171 power grids, which supply electricity to at least one million customers. But it has made all preparations to restore power supply.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro said the main problem for Pertamina was that Jl Yos Sudarso, the access road to its Plumpang depot, was drowned in floodwaters and several cars were stranded there with machine problems.

According to Purnomo, Pertamina has made preparations at several fuel depots outside Jakarta to secure fuel supply in Jakarta, Bogor, Tangerang and Bekasi areas.

For areas in Bekasi, fuel will be supplied from Balongan and Cikampek depots and in case of emergency, fuel will be supplied from Padalarang and Ujung Berung depots.

According to the minister, the fuel supply in Greater Jakarta has picked up starting from Sunday and the Plumpang depot has been operating 24 hours a day. The water level has come down to 10 centimeters.

Separately, PLN's general manager for central power distribution and load control (P3B) Muljo Adji said his company has already shut down 2,171 power grids.

?If the water level is reduced in one particular area, we will immediately restore power supply. In principle, the main power grid is ready and if the distribution network is ready we will restore the electricity,? Muljo said. (*)