Several regions in Java and Bali to face blackout

State electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) said it will cut power in several regions in Java and Bali up to 500 MW due to gas supply problem and drought that have disrupted the operation of several big power plants.

PLN?s spokesman Muljo Adji said that rotating blackout will occur in several areas in Jakarta and Banten because as much 175 MW will be cut. Power cut will also be conducted in West Java (80 MW), Central Java and Yogyakarta Special Region (91 MW), East Java (136 MW), and Bali (18 MW).

Several power plants that cannot work well include coal-fired power plant Paiton Unit 8 with a capacity of 600 MW, coal-fired power plant Cilacap Unit 2 (300 MW), combine-cycle power plant Muara Tawar St 1 (180 MW) and combined-cycle power plant Gresik St 2 (170 MW).

?Besides, combined-cycle power plant Cilegon with a capacity of 240 MW cannot operate well because it has a problem with gas supply. The drought has led to the declining water debit that has disrupted the operation of hydro power plant Cirata with has a capacity of 8x125 MW,? he said.

In response to the planned power cut, Director General of Electricity and Energy Utilization at the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry J Purwono has asked PLN to make efforts to keep the power supply.

Purwono also called on industries that have a genzet power plant to temporarily be out of Java-Bali electricity system.

?They (industries) have to help PLN. Disruption of Java-Bali electricity system is unpredictable. This has frequently occurred, mainly due to the gas supply problem,? he said. (godang)