PLN set to open coal supply tender for Tanjung Jati B

State electricity firm PLN said it hoped to be able to hold tender for coal supply fro Tanjung Jati B power plant within the next two months.

?We?re waiting for green light from the government,? said PLN?s deputy director Tonny Agus.

The 2x660 MW power plant, which is located in Central Java, is scheduled to commence operations in 2006. The plant is expected to consume up to 4 million tons of coal annually.

PLN had recently opened pre-qualification bid to ship coal to the project. Tonny said 12 shipping firms had entered the pre-qualification bidding and winners would be announced in the next one or two weeks. Included in bidders are Arpeni Pratama Lines, Bahtera Adiguna, Samudra Shipping, Tirta Samudra Caraka and Oscar Maritime.

Tanjung Jati B is owned by PT. Central Java Power (CJP), in which Japan tradinghouse Sumitomo is controlling shareholder. CJP entered into a 20-year long-term lease with PLN, under which PLN will be responsible for the operation and maintenance of the power plant during the lease period. (alex)