Singkarak power plant needs environmental audit
Wednesday, September 6 2000 - 04:00 AM WIB
The reduction in the water level in Lake Singkarak - the largest lake in West Sumatra - has been caused directly by the operation of the Singkarak power plant, according to the West Sumatra's Environmental Impact Management Agency (Bappedalda).
Therefore, Bappedalda chief Darman Siri suggested that the operation of the 175 MW Singkarak power plant needs to be reviewed.
"The reduction (of the water level) is caused by the tunnel, that changed the flow of water from Batang (River) Ombilin to Batang Anai," Darman said.
Because of the change of water flow, Ombilin river often dries, and it affects around 300 water pumps that supplies water to around 300 hectares of rice field along the river.
Therefore, Darman suggested an environmental audit be applied to the Singkarak power plant. The audit must be a comprehensive one, covering also the impacts of the power plant on the lives of people living along the Ombilin river. (*)