Three power plants in Lampung shut down

Lampung has been hit with rotating blackouts during the past week due to electricity shortage as three power plants were temporarily shutdown either for repair and routine maintenance, Kompas daily reported Saturday.

Businesses and household consumers in 14 regencies/mayoralties in the province have complained about the lingering blackout problem.

The paper quoted deputy manager for legal and public relations of state-owned electricity firm PLN Lampung area, I Ketut Darpa as saying that the Unit IV coal-fired power plant has to be repaired following a break-down. It is expected to resume operation today (Saturday). Meanwhile two other plants including Unit III coal-fired power plant and Way Besai hydro power plant are still undergoing routine maintenance.

He said that the suspension in the operation of the three power plants have caused Lampung to suffer power deficit of between 150-200 MW, prompting the rotating blackout. (*)