PLN to start construction of Baliem hydro power plant
Monday, July 30 2012 - 10:59 AM WIB
State electricity company PT PLN will this week kick off the construction of the Baliem hydro power plant (PLTA Baliem) project in Papua, company President Director Nur Pamudji said.
?On August 1, we will go to Papua to inaugurate the construction of PLTA Baliem,? Nur Pamudji told Petromindo.com.
The development of the hydro power plant was initiated in August last year, followed by project tender held on November 28-December 2, 2011. It was not clear who won the tender to develop the project.
Former PLN President Director Dahlan Iskan, who is now Minister for State Enterprise, said last year that the Baliem hydro power plant will be developed in stages.
Nur Pamudji said the first phase of the hydro power plant will have capacity of 10x5 MW.
PLN claims that Baliem river has the potential to support the development of hydro power plant with capacity of up to about 450 MW.
PLN expects to complete the power plant project in 2016-2017. PLN also hopes that the project will help stimulate economic activities in the area.
Editing by Roffie Kurniawan