PLN to offer Asahan hydropower project to Chinese investor

State owned electricity company PLN's president director Eddie Widiono Suwondho has said that he would offer the Asahan I hydropower project to a Chinese investor during his visit to the country this week, Investor Daily reported on Thursday.

Eddie was among the top state owned company leaders accompanying President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in his official visit to China this week.

He said that during the visit, he would discuss the possible involvement of Chinese company China Huadian Corporations in the Asahan I hydropower project.

"We hope we will be able to sign a heads of agreement (HOA) with China Huadian during the visit," he was quoted as saying.

The 610-MW Asahan I hydropower plant is one of the 72 hydropower plants planned to be built by PLN until 2014. About 24 of them will be developed in Sumatra, 11 in Java and Madura, eight in Bali and West Nusa Tenggara, seven in Kalimantan, 15 in Sulawesi, five in Maluku and the other two in Papua. The 72 power projects are expected to provide power supply of up to 7,380 MW.

At present, PLN has 41 hydropower plants, with a combined capacity of about 3,266 MW. (*)