PLN needs up to Rp 500t for transmission development

State-owned electricity firm PT PLN will need between Rp 400 trillion and Rp 500 trillion to finance the development of transmission facilities as planned under its 2016-2025 electricity procurement business plan (or RUPTL), which has been recently approved by the government.

PLN Procurement Director Supangkat Iwan Santoso was quoted as saying by Kontan Monday that the investment requirement include for financing development of substations.

He added that PLN is open to partnership with other investors in the transmission project, but stressed that the state utility will retain ownership of the transmission facility.

The 2016-2025 RUPTL envisages the development of a total of 67,901 km of transmission lines. Of the target, 46,597 km will be developed over the next five years to support the planned development of 35,000 MW power plants to be completed by 2019. PLN will be responsible in developing 43,284 km of the transmission line target, while independent power producers will develop the remainder. (*)