PLN operates three new relay stations in E. Java

State-owned electricity company PT PLN inaugurated on Wednesday the operation of three new relay stations in East Java, which are expected to increase power supply reliability for industries in the province.

PLN said in a statement obtained Thursday that the three new relay stations included the Sambikerep sub-station (or known locally as Gardu Induk/GI) with capacity of 2x60 MVA, the GI Sidoarjo with capacity of 1x60 MVA, and up rating of GI Bulu Kandang from 30 MVA to 60 MVA.

Amin Subekti, PLN Business Director for East Java and Bali regions, said in the statement that the completion of the three new relay stations comes after the company completed the construction of the 500-meter Sambikerep and 860-meter Sidoarjo high voltage elevated power lines.

The PLN East Java region currently has a power capacity of 8,600 MW, compared to peak load of 6,000 MW, leaving the province with excess electricity supply of more than 2,000 MW.

To further increase power supply to meet future demand, a number of power plant projects are currently being developed including the Tanjung Awar-Awar II 350 MW coal-fired plant, which is targeted to enter the power system in June 2016, and the Grati Peaker combined cycle 450 MW power plant, expected to enter system end 2017.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak