PLN to sign WB loan for Upper Cisokan project

State electricity company PLN will soon sign a loan worth US$790 million from the World Bank to finance the constrution of PLTU Upper Cisokan hydropower plant in West Java .

PLN president director Nur Pamudji said in Jakarta last week that the loan could be signed this week after the provincial government of West Java and National Land Agency (BPN) agreed recently to help clear up problems with the acqusition of the 400-land for the project.

The PLTA Upper Cisokan hydropower plant, which is located at the border of West Bandung and Cianjur regencies, will have a capacity of 4 x 260 megawatt and is part of the second 10,000-MW power plant fast track program.

Meanwhile PLN?s head for new energy division Mochamad Sofyan said that with the signing of the WB loan, the prequalifcation for the project could be launched next year. The hydropower plant is expected to be operational in 2016. (bernard)