Energy Ministry Ensures Permits Wont Disrupt 35,000 MW Electricity Project
A 9 MW- Gas Engine Power Plant (PLTMG), located in Sasah Seri Bay, Kuala Lobam, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands
In a bid to safeguard the development of 35,000 Megawatt electricity project, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources and state-owned electricity company PLN ensure that construction of power plants constructed in the mega project can proceed on schedule and will not face permit issues.
During an inspection on Friday (9/3), the Ministrys Director General for Electricity Andy Noorsaman Sommeng observes the relocation of 9 MW Gas Engine Power Plant (PLTMG) located in Sasah Seri Bay, Kuala Lobam, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands. The power plant is relocated from Tokojo PLTMG with capacity 2 X 3MW and Dompak with capacity 3 MW into PLTMG with the capacity of 9 MW.
Also on that occasion, Andy held a meeting with stakeholders to discuss ways to speed up the operation of PLTMG and ensure synergy among institutions, including gas suppliers, local governments, Tanjung Tuban Port Operator Unit Office (KUPP), and the PLN.
Sustainable operation of the power plants should be supported because they support investment in Bintan Island, Andy firmly said.
The PLTMG is expected to support electricity supply for residents in Bintan as this region is now promoting housing development, business, industry, and tourism sectors. For the record, gas used to power the PLTMG is supplied from Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) generated from Panaran gas terminal in Batam.
Previously, it is reported that the operation of PLTMG will be delayed after related institutions have not yet submitted the permit to moor CNG bunker barge departed from Batam; thus, the barge has not yet anchored at Sasah Bay since four months ago.
Andy also instructed harbormaster of the local port to speed up the completion of permit on CNG since the other permits are completed. He also ensured that risk mitigation for engineering safety in the field of gas (as the fuel) has been implemented to the maximum extent by the PLN.
Since the PLTMG have not yet been operated, Lobam industrial zone cannot use the service so that generator set is still used which increase the operational cost.
Meanwhile, PLN Regional Business Director for Sumatra Wiluyo Kusdwiharto who attended the inspection asserted that electricity supply in Bintan is sufficient and the PLN is ready to supply 160 MVA of electricity. In order to meet the electricity needs of industrial and tourism sectors in that region, he added, the PLN has also developed 150 kV high-voltage power line (SUTT) and 150 kV main power plant in Lagoi stretching 20 kilometer route (kmr) and Sri Bintan Main Power Plant with capacity of 150 kV. The PLN also developed 9 MW PLTG in Telukasah, near Lobam, he said.
In addition to that, the PLN will add power capacity of Air Raja Main Power Plant from 60 MVA to 120 MVA scheduled to be completed by the end of June 2018. Moreover, the capacity of Sri Bintan and Kijang Main Power Plants will be increased to 60 MVA from the previous 30 MV. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2018, Wiluyo concluded. (Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resourcess Communication Team/ EN) (RAS/MUR/EP/Naster)
