PLTA Asahan III project delayed

The construction of PLTA Asahan III hydropower plant in Asahan, North Sumatra has been delayed due to late issuance of a forest-use permit from the Forestry Ministry, Bisnis Indonesia reported Friday.

Riadil Alhir Lubis, Head of the provincial development planning board (Bappeda) of North Sumatra province , said that PLTA Asahan III, which will have a capacity of 2 x 87 megawatt, is one of 21 infrastructure projects included in the government?s economic growth acceleration program MP3E.

But, the developer still needed a forest-use permit from the Forestry Ministry to be able to begin the power plant project he said. According to him, the permit would be needed because a part of the project area is located in a forest.

Riadil said that the local government could not issue land acquisition permit before the Forestry Ministry issues the forest use permit. (*)