PLN starts operation of Jayapura power plant

State-owned electricity firm PT PLN started on Thursday operation of a 50 MW PLTMG gas engine power plant in Jayapura, Papua Province, following nine months of construction process.

PLN Business Director for Papua and Maluku Region, Ahmad Rofik said that another PLTMG with capacity of 20 MW in Nabire Regency, also in Papua, is set to start operation in November of this year.

He said that the new power plants form part of ongoing efforts to increase power supply in both Papua and West Papua provinces in the hope that by 2020 electrification ration in the region can be increased beyond 86 percent from the current 57 percent.

He pointed out that other new power plants are being developed in Papua and West Papua with total capacity of 250 MW, which are expected to start operation in 2018.

?New power plants currently being developed include 40 MW PLTMG in Merauke, 15 MW in Biak,10 MW in Serui, 20 MW in Manokwari, 10 MW in Raja Ampat, 30 MW in Sorong, 10 MW in Fakfak, 10 MW in Timika, 40 MW Jayapura peaker, and 10 MW in Kaimana,? he said. (*)