PLN propose to build Sumatra-Java grid along with Sunda Strait bridge

State owned electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) has proposed the projects to develop a power grid connecting Sumatra and Java and a giant bridge linking both islands be carried out simultaneously.

?Both projects should be integrated. If each of the projects goes its own way, people will laugh at us. If the projects are integrated, there will be a good coordination and, perhaps, the development of the bridge project can be accelerated,? Dahlan said.

The Sunda bridge is billed to become the longest sea bridge in Asia. The government has agreed on the plan to build the bridge but no concrete measures have been taken to realize the plan.

He said the firm had sent the proposal to the National Planning Board (Bappenas), which is in charge of planning all government?s projects.

According to him, it is cheaper to build a power grid that is attached to the bridge than that one that is placed on the seafloor. If the power cable is placed on the seafloor, PLN has to install expensive facilities that functions to convert the flow of the electricity from AC (alternating current) to DC (direct current) before it is transmitted through undersea cables and re-convert it to AC again after arriving at another island.

PLN has long planned to build a power grid linking both islands to strengthen power supplies in Java as Sumatra has potentials to be major power producers given its huge coal resources. (Bernard)