PLN to develop two power plants, transmission line in Nias

By Cepi Setiadi

State-owned electricity company PT PLN plans to develop two dual-fired power plants and a new transmission line in Nias Regency, North Sumatra, to increase power supply in the region, which has been suffering from blackouts since early this month following the shutdown of leased plants.

PLN Director for Sumatra Region, Amir Rosidin said Saturday that construction of the first gas and diesel fired power plant with a capacity of 25 MW is expected to be completed and start operation in August of this year.

He said that the company is currently in the process of completing land acquisition for the US$18.7 million power plant project. He added that a GE engine from the US has arrived in Singapore and is ready to be shipped to Nias.

Meanwhile, for the second power plant, with a capacity of 20 MW, PLN will hold a tender next year. The company hopes to be able to complete the second power plant also in 2017.

Amir said PLN will also develop a 70 kV 120-km transmission line from North Nias to South Nias to support the two new power plants. He said that that the transmission line project is expected to be completed in 2018.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak