Workers? strike at PT KA may affect coal supply to Suralaya power plant

The planned nationwide strike by workers of state-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api (PTKA) may affect the coal supply from PT Tambang Batubara Bukit Asam's (PTBA) coal mine site in South Sumatra to the Suralaya plant in Banten, one of the country?s largest power producers.

Kompas reported on Thursday that a strike at PT KA?s South Sumatra operation would seriously affect the Suralaya power plant?s coal stocks which are now only enough for 15 days.

The Suralaya power plant receives more than 60 percent of its coal supply from PTBA?s coal mine in Tanjung Enim, South Sumatra. The coal is transported to a coal terminal in Tarahan, Lampung, by PT KA?s cargo trains before being shipped to the Suralaya plant.

PT KA?s workers in South Sumatra plan to go on strike on Aug 8 to Aug 10 to demand for welfare improvement.

Mulyo Aji, the director for power generations of state owned electricity company PLN, said in Jakarta on Wednesday that workers? strike could cut coal supply to the Suralaya power plant by 48,000 tons a day. ?If the workers? strike takes place more than three days, the Suralaya power plant will encounter a serious problem,? he added.

He said that PLN would seek for additional coal supply from Kalimantan to cope with the halt in the coal supply from South Sumatra. ?But we hope, PT KA will be able to continue to operate despite the planned strike,? he added. (*)