More Electricity Supplied to Java-Bali

KOMPAS/WAWAN H PRABOWO

President Joko Widodo (third right, in safety vest) inaugurates on Monday (2/25/2019) the 660-megawatt Cilacap Expansion I steam power plant (PLTU) that spans in Cilacap, Central Java. The power plant, which occupies 38.28 ha across the villages of Karangkandri, Slarang and Manganti, was developed by PT Pembangkit Jawa Bali, a subsidiary of state-owned electricity company PLN, and PT Sumber Segara Primadaya. Producing an additional 660 MW for the Java-Bali electricity supply system, PLN expects to serve up to 682,000 additional customers with the newly inaugurated power plant.

CILACAP, KOMPAS – Construction is being expedited on a steam power plant (PLTU) in Cilacap regency, Central Java. In addition to increasing the capacity of the Java-Bali electricity supply system, the PLTU is intended to accelerate meeting the electricity needs of up to 99.9 percent of the population.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo inaugurated on Monday (Feb. 25, 2019) the Cilacap Expansion I steam power plant (PLTU) spanning the villages of Karangkandri, Slarang and Menganti in Cilacap regency. The power plant, with an output capacity of 660 megawatts (MW), is one of four electricity development projects in Cilacap.

With yesterday’s inauguration, three power plants are now in operation: the 660 MW capacity PLTU Adipala, the 2x300 MW PLTU Cilacap I and II, and Cilacap Expansion I. The 1,000 MW PLTU Cilacap Expansion II is still under development.

President Jokowi expressed hope that PLTU Cilacap Expansion I would increase the electricity supply for households and businesses, especially in Java.

“I really appreciate PLTU in Cilacap. It is big, 660 megawatts. I hope it will add to the [electricity] supply, especially in Java, both for industry and households experiencing shortages,” he said.

Central Java regional business director Amir Rosidin of state-owned electricity company PT PLN said that Cilacap Expansion I, which cost US$899 million to build on 38.28 hectares and absorbed 800 workers, was expected to meet the needs of 682,000 new customers in both Java and Bali.

Acceleration

Power plant developer PT Pembangkitan Jawa Bali (PJB) had tried to accelerate the development of PLTU Cilacap Expansion II. Cilacap Expansion II was originally targeted for completion in 2020, but PT PJB told President Joko Widodo yesterday that it could be completed this year.

Completion of Cilacap Expansion II is expected to soon fulfill the public’s electricity need. The current electrification ratio is 98.2 percent. The government plans to increase the electrification ratio to 99.9 percent by the yearend. The electrification ratio compares the number of people with electricity access against the total population.

President Jokowi also said yesterday that the government did not want to continue to rely on nonrenewable fossil energy, and that it was time for Indonesia to use renewable energy to meet its electricity needs. The government had thus begun using renewable energies like wind and hydro. (NTA/WAK)