Posted 27 July 2005 @ 18:20
JAKARTA, 27 July 2005 - Electric power reserves in Java and Bali are expected to reach a critical point during the dry season which is estimated to begin in October, a PLN (state electricity company) official said. "Power reserves during that time are expected to drop to around 120 Megawatt while the safe level is 600 MW," PLN General Manager for Java and Bali distribution Muljo Adji said here Tuesday.
The power shortage, he said, would be due to a lower rate of water flow especially in three dams which also function as hydropower plants, namely Saguling with a capacity of 700 MW , Jatiluhur (150 MW) and Cirata (1,000 MW). The water flow rate in the three dams is expected to decline by 50 to 60 per cent so that they can only produce 500 MW of power. "During the dry season consumption usually has also increases with the increased use of air conditioners," Muljo said.
To anticipate possible shortage, Muljo said, PLN has continued its familiarization on save the energy program and worked on coordination with private power plants to keep their generators. "If the capacity of power generators other than water have also declined, we are afraid that the shortage would disturb stability of Java and Bali power system," he said. Under PLN standard procedure, the company would optimize power generators that use fuel oil or coal when PLTA capacity has declined.
"For fuel oil supply, we work on coordination with Pertamina especially near October when dry season come," Muljo added. Meanwhile, PLN President Director, Eddie Widiono expressed optimism that power shortage would not lead to black out because its peak loading would stay at 15,240 MW. "After fuel oil price hike, many big industries swift their power supply to PLN and increase the company`s load. But the amount tend to decline and this must be maintained," Eddie said.
He added, Java and Bali power system which contributed 80 per cent of PLN revenue, would increase its capacity with the operation of new power plants in 2006 namely Steam-generated power plant (PLTGU) Cilegon with 720 MW capacity, PLTU Cilacap (600 MW), PLTU Tanjung Jati (320 MW), PLTP Kamojang (60 MW) and PLTU Patuha (60 MW). Head of the West Java climatology unit, Widiastuti said, the dry season in the province is predicted to begin in August, while in some districts such as Saguling and Cirata, it had begun in the third week of May.
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