PLN seeks contractor for 600 MW power plant in Jakarta

State electricity firm is looking for a contractor to build a badly-needed 600 megawatt (MW) power plant in the capital Jakarta, a senior official said on Friday as reported by Reuters.

Indonesia needs the plant to add to current capacity on the islands of Java and Bali to avoid electricity shortfalls in 2004.

"There are several options to choose the contractor... through tender or direct selection. The important thing is that it's cheap and benefits PLN," director general for electricity at the Mines and Energy Ministry, Luluk Sumiarso, told reporters, referring to PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN).

"We expect the plant will come on stream in the middle of 2004 to supply electricity to Java," he said.

Indonesia's annual electricity demand is currently estimated to be growing around 10 percent, one of the most robust power markets in Southeast Asia.

A PLN official has said electricity capacity across Java and Bali was around 18,000 MW last year and would remain unchanged in 2002. (*)