Star Energy starts operations of W. Java geothermal plant 2nd unit
Friday, December 12 2008 - 07:29 AM WIB
During the morning of December 11th, 2008 the newly constructed Unit 2 turbine and steam feed system was powered up for the first time to 12MW, about 10% of installed capacity of 117MW sold its first electricity into the PLN West Java high voltage grid.
On the afternoon of the same day, the facility was powered up again to 30MW.
Over the next few days and weeks, the testing and commissioning process will be accelerated, leading to scheduled full commercial operation by March 2009.
The project, with a total cost of approximately US$ 200 milion, has produced its first electricity almost three weeks ahead of schedule, on budget and with no safety or environmental mishaps a global first for the geothermal power industry, the company said.
When Unit 2 is fully operational, the Wayang Windu will reach a capacity of 227 MW, making it the largest single geothermal power plan in Indonesia, and one of the largest in the world.
MNL has a Joint Operating contract (JOC) with Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE), and an Energy Sales Contract (ESC) with Pertamina and PLN to explore and to exploit geothermal resources at Wayang Windu and to supply up to 400 MW of electricity to PLN for 30 years.
?Now that the construction of the unit 2 project has been completed, MNL will move to the next phase the development of Wayang Windu Units 3 and 4 which will be designed to achieve a total plant capacity of up to 500 MW. Supply of electricity above the currently contracted 400MW will be negotiated as part of an extension to the existing ESC with PLN. Total investment in Units 3 & 4 will be approximately USS$ 450 million,? the company said.
The Wayang Windu geothermal project uses flash steam technology in which steam is used to generate electricity by directly driving a large turbine. The steam is produced from depths of 500-1000m at more than 300o Celsius, and contains virtually no pollutant gases or CO2. It is the most efficient geothermal facility in the world.
Beside operating Wayang Windu, Star Energy also operates the Kakap Block PSC im Natuna and two exploration blocks in Java and Kalimantan. (godang)