Tanjung Jati B still in partial operation despite rise in coal supplies

State owned electricity firm PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) has got more coal supplies for its coal-fired Tanjung Jati B power plant in Jepara, Central Java but the power plant is still unable to operate at full capacity.

PLN?s General Manager of Java-Bali Power Distribution and Regulation Center Muljo Adjie said on Monday that the vessels that carried coal for the power plant could resume unloading activities on Sunday as a result of improved weather conditions.

?As of 6 a.m. today (Monday), the power plant?s coal stock has increased to 40,000 tons,? Muljo said.

On Thursday, the coal stock dropped to 11,000 tons, which forced the firm to stop the operation of one of the power plant?s unit and run the other unit at partial capacity. The coal-fired power plant, which is a major power plant on the Java-Bali grid, has two units each with a capacity of 660 MW.

The situation has made the government angry that the firm?s board of commissioners fired Director of Generation and Primary Energy Ali Herman Ibrahim on Saturday, blaming him for mismanaging the power plant?s coal stock.

Aside from Tanjung Jati B, the 2x300 MW Cilacap power plant in Central Java which is operated by independent power producer PT. Sumber Segara Primadaya was also shut down early this year due to the lack of coal supplies.

Muljo said the power plant is expected to resume operation after getting coal supplies. Thanks to an improved weather condition, a vessel carrying coal is expected to arrive at the power plant?s jetty on Wednesday (Godang)