PLN to develop geothermal power plants

State electricity firm PT PLN (Persero) said on Monday that it would develop 880 MW of geothermal power plant on its own.

Director Nasri Sebayang told parliamentary hearing that 11 power plants would be built Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi with financial support from ADB and JIBC, which have committed US$ 1.6 billion for the program.

Nasri said that PLN would not be involved in the upstream part of the projects but instead will buy steam from the producers.

Nasri said the program is part of the second 10,000 MW crash program developments.

The areas that would be built include Ulu Belu unit 1 and two in Lampung with capacity of 2x50 MW, Lahendong unit 4 in North Sulawesi, Kotamubagu in Gorontalo province, Sembalun in West Nusa Tenggara, Gunung Ijen, Ngebel , Wilis and Iyang Argopuro in Java and Sungai Penuh in Jambi.(bernard)