PLTU Asam-Asam adds capacity with two new units

The steam power plant (PLTU) Asam-Asam in Jorong, Tanah Laut regency of South Kalimantan province, has increased its power generation with the operation of its two new units, 3 and 4, making its total capacity now at 260 megawatt (MW) or about 67 percent of the total power need in the area.

Gatut Pujo Pramono, assistant to operation manager with PLTU Asam-Asam, said that each of the unit 3 and 4 has a generation capacity of between 65 and 70 MW.

?Currently, PLTU Asam-Asam has four units, 1, 2, 3, and 4. The unit 3 and 4 have been in operation since April. It?s been scheduled that Vice President Boediono will inaugurate the new units on 30th May (Thursday),? he was quoted by Kompas.com as saying over the weekend.

According to him, PLTU Asam-Asam will also build two more units, unit 5 and 6. ?We?ll start the construction, as we?ve secured the land site for the two new units,? he said.

But Gator pointed out that now only three units, namely unit 1,3, and 4 that are fully in operation. ?Unit 1 has a capacity of 63 MW, unit 3 and 4 at a capacity of between 65 and 70 MW. Unit 2 is undergoing repair and maintenance,? he said, adding that if all are in full operation the PLTU will have a capacity of 4x65 MW (260 MW).

According to him the peak load in South and Central Kalimantan is at 380 MW. ?We supply 67 percent of the power need from PLTU Asam-Asam. The rest is supplied from diesel power plants, hydro power plants,? he added.

Isfa Firma Zona, assistant to the manager of South and Central Kalimantan power transmission development with state utility PT PLN, said that the unit 3 and 4 had got a certificate of operation reliability and now is waiting for a transfer of handling from the contractor to PLN.

?Until now, we?ve finalized the development of 327 transmission towers from Asam-Asam to Batulicin grid. What has made it slow is the land clearing,? he said. (*)