PLN may build LNG terminal to secure gas supply

State electricity company PLN is considering a number of alternatives in securing gas supply for the company?s gas fired power plants.

PLN?s president director Dahlan Iskan said PLN could for example build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal near the company?s Muara Tawar combined cycle power plant in Bekasi, West Java to ensure that in the future the power plant would no longer have a problem with the gas supply.

In addition to building a receiving gas terminal, PLN is also considering developing a mini-LNG plant in a small gas field, Dahlan said, adding that in realizing the plan, PLN would invite other industries to cooperate in the development of such gas terminals.

?We have a number of plans to build our own terminals. But if other companies want to cooperate, it will be easier for PLN to carry out the plan,? he said.

PLN has operated a number of large combined cycle power plants but most of them still use petroleum-based fuels to support their operations due to the lack of gas supply. Besides PLN, other industries also suffer a shortage of gas supply because the lack of gas deposits could be distributed through the existing gas pipelines.

State owned gas distributor PGN said recently that it would build several LNG terminals in Java to cope with the gas shortage in the island. But none of the planned terminals have so far been built. (godang/giok)