Purnomo to visit Batam this afternoon

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro is scheduled to visit the industrial Island of Batam to check the operation of the state-owned electricity company PLN in the island.

Purnomo told Petromindo.com that the PLN unit in Batam had developed particularly well as it had been independent in deciding its power tariff.

Purnomo also said that several PLN units including in Tarakan, East Kalimantan, Jambi and Bali had asked a similar independent status.

He said that the model of the Batam PLN unit was commendable because the central government no longer have to subsidize the operation, however, granting independent status to other PLN units would have an impact to the power prices the public has to pay.

He also said that it would depend on the local legislative council and administration whether to approve such independent status on PLN.(Godang)