South Sumatra can set its own electricity tariff

South Sumatra, with its vast energy sources such as oil, gas and coal, has the opportunity to set its own electricity tariff in the future so that the province's electricity sector will be more attractive to investors, Minister of Mines and Energy Purnomo Yusgiantoro said as reported by Antara news agency on Tuesday.

"It is quite possible for the province to set its own electricity tariffs because most of its power plants have no longer used diesel oil as its fuel," the minister was quoted as saying by the news agency.

Regional electricity pricing system has been adopted in several areas such as Batam, Tarahan (Kalimantan) and Bali, he said. "South Sumatra which is rich in coal and gas reserves can also adopt the regional electricity pricing system," he said.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono inaugurated on Tuesday three new combined cycle power plants in South Sumatra, raising the electricity supply to the province to 1,350 Megawatt. (*)