PLN to expand capacity of three power plants

By Bernard Loebs

State-owned electricity firm PT PLN plans to increase power supply by a combined 1,800 MW from three steam and gas-fired power plants to help avoid electricity crisis in the future amid concerns that the planned giant Batang power plant in Central Java may not come through as scheduled.

I Made Ro Sakya, Head of Planning Division at PLN, said Tuesday that the three steam and gas-fired power plants include the Muara Karang power plant, whose capacity will be increased by 500 MW; the Tanjung Priok, whose capacity will be increased by 800 MW; and the Muara Tawar power plant whose capacity will be increased by 500 MW.

The additional gas supply to feed the expansion of the three power plants is expected to come from the Lampung floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) at a volume of 300 mmscfd.

PLN is currently making preparations for the EPC tender of the expansion of the three power plants, hoping that construction work can start mid next year, and completed within 24 months, in time to avoid imminent power crisis in the heavily populated islands of Java and Bali.

Construction of the Batang 2,000 MW coal-fired power plant has suffered lengthy delays due to difficulties in completing land acquisition. The US$4 billion plant, to be developed by PT Bhimasena Power Indonesia, was initially expected to be completed in 2016.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak