Power supply deficit in N. Sumatra, Aceh grows to 320 MW

The power supply deficit in North Sumatra and Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam (NAD) has further increased to 320 megawatts (MW) from 170 MW in normal days due to a major overhaul in one of power generators of the Sicanang combined cycle power plant in Belawan, Kompas reported Monday.

 

The local unit of the state owned electricity company PLN said that the partial blackout which was earlier estimated to take place from June 13 to August 13 might be extended due to the delay in the completion of the overhaul works.

 

PLN said that the overhaul was conducted in the generator No. 22 in the Sicanang power plant. As part of the regular overhaul, the company would also repair the generator's rotor (rotating blades) in Jakarta.

 

However, there was an incident when the trailer carrying the rotor passed a bridge on the way to the Belawan port. The bridge collapsed, and the rotor fell into the river. The trailer and the rotor remain in the river because the company is still unable to lift them out from the river.

 

The Sicanang power plant which has eight power generators has the capacity to produce 1,078 MW, but in day to day operation, the plant, the main power provider in North Sumatra and NAD, can only produce 700 MW.

 

There are a number of other plants in the two provinces such as the Lau Renun hydropower plant, the Sipansihaporas hydropower plant and several other diesel power plants. They are, however, able only to provide 250 MW.

 

In normal days. There is thus a deficit in the power supply of about 170 MW because the 700 MW of the power supply from the Sicanang plant and the 250 MW from other smaller power plants are still unable to meet the demand which reaches about 1,120 MW. (*)