President launches Tanjung Jati B coal-fired power plant
Monday, October 16 2006 - 12:43 AM WIB
Mineral Resources Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro and State Minister for State Enterprises Sugiharto were also present at the launch of the power plant.
Yudhoyono said he expected the coal-fired plant, which can generate up to 1,320 megawatts of electricity, would be able to fulfill the nation?s increasing energy demands and avert a future power crisis, The Jakarta Post reported Monday.
?Some 100 million Indonesians are yet to enjoy the benefits of electricity, with our power production only at 25,000 megawatts at present,? he said.
?Many others, meanwhile, have already become dependent and more demanding in their use of electricity. That is why the government is working to build more power plants, totaling 10,000 megawatts in capacity, within the next three years.?
The new plants will secure the country?s whole power supply by 2009, with the Tanjung Jati B itself adding enough at present for the country?s main Java-Bali grid. The government is currently conducting bidding on plants, and will provide investors with a guarantee of the plants? output by state power firm PT PLN.
One of the power generating unit of coal-fired power plant Tanjung Jati B started connection with the Java-Bali grid on April, 2006.
The power plant located in Jepara, Central Java has two power units each with the capacity of 660 MW. It is owned by PT Central Java Power (CJP), which is controlled by Japanese trading house Sumitomo. CJP has entered into a 20-year lease contract with PLN, under which PLN is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the power plant during the lease period. (*)