Upcoming dry season may seriously affect power supply

The power supply for the Java-Bali power transmission networks may decline sharply in the upcoming dry season due to the estimated drop in the water supply for the country's three major hydropower plants in West Java.

Muljo Adji AG, the general manager of state owned electricity company PLN's power distribution for Java and Bali, said in Jakarta on Tuesday that the three major hydropower plants Saguling, Jatiluhur and Cirata might be able only to operate at a half of their capacity due to the sharp decline in the water supply during the upcoming dry season which was expected to begin in October.

At normal time, the Saguling, Jatiluhur and Cirata hydro power plants can produce up to 700 MW, 150 MW and 1,000 MW, respectively.

Muljo said that the decline in the power supply from the three hydropower plants would seriously affect the electricity supply in Java and Bali, which has been in critical condition due to the sharp increase in the demand." The java bali grid at peak times could reach som 15,245 Mega Watts in october, while there would likely b only 120 MW left in reserves," said Muljo.

Data from the company shows the ideal minimum reserv capacity should be at the level of 1,290 MW. At present the power reserves in peak time stand at about 600 MW.

"The condition would be getting worse if there is a problem in the operation of major power providers such as the Suralaya power plant (with 600 MW capacity) and Paiton power plant (600 MW)," he said. "If it happens, partial power blackout in Java ad Bali could not be avoided," he added.

PLN plans to rely heavily on fuel-fired plants to make up for the declining hydropower. Muljo said that PT Pertamin had guaranteed that fuel supplies to the power firm would be prioritized. (dino)