Six killed in South Korea?s power project in North Sumatra

By Cepi Setiadi

Six workers died on Wednesday after being electrocuted while working in a tunnel for PLTA Wampu hydropower project in North Sumatra owned by PT Wampu Electric Power (WEP), a consortium of South Korean companies, according to the local media.

The incident happened in Rih Tengah village, Kuta Buluh district, Karo regency.

Kompas.com quoted police as saying that there were 13 workers performing their tasks inside the tunnel during the incident. Flow of water into the tunnel had been blocked and dewatering process inside the tunnel had been carried out. Nevertheless, there were some water remaining in the tunnel.

?Preliminary investigation indicate the electrical current was carried through the remaining water. The investigation is still in progress,? Head of Karo police precinct Police Grand Commissioner Adjutant Viktor Tambunan said.

Seven were injured during the incident. The dead and injured were soon rushed to Efarina Etaham hospital in Kabanjahe, the regency?s capital.

Head of New and Renewable Energy Division at state owned electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) Syah Darwin Siregar told Petromindo.com that PLTA Wampu Power is still in construction stage.

?The project was supposed to achieve Commercial Operation Date (COD) in 2015, but it had been delayed due the eruption of Sinabung volcano. They are now continuing the construction,? he said adding that the progress of 3x15 MW power plant project has reached 80 percent and is expected to be completed this year.

Darwin explained that PLN is not involved in this construction. ?However, if there is a problem, they will talk to us,? he said

PLN signed the power purchase agreement (PPA) for this project on April 12, 2011. WEP is a consortium comprising Korea Midland Power Co Ltd (Komipo)-Daewoo Engineering Co (Daewoo)-PT Mega Power Mandiri (MPM).

Editing by Johannes Simbolon