PLN accelerates development of two power plants in Gorontalo

State-owned electricity company PT PLN is accelerating the development of two key power plants in Gorontalo to help increase electricity supply in the province amid growing demand.

The company said in a statement published Monday that it has started the construction process of a 2x25 MW coal fired power plant in Kwandang, North Gorontalo Regency. PLN Director of Planning Murtaqi Syamsuddin said that the first unit of the power plant project is expected to start supplying electricity by the end of this year.

Murtaqi said that the company would also develop a 100 MW gas-fired peaker power plant in Paguat, Pohuwato Regency. Tender process has started since February 20 of this year. He said that construction is expected to be completed by end of this year.

The average peak load in Gorontalo during the day stands at 60 MW, and 85 MW at night, while installed capacity is only 65 MW. The Gorontalo electricity grid has now been interconnected with the northern part of the Sulawesi system via a 150 kV transmission system. Gorontalo currently obtains extra supply of 20-25 MW from the Sulawesi system.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak