PLN TOLD TO CONDUCT COMPREHENSIVE STUDY ON BUILDING NEW POWER PLANTS IN SUMATRA

Padang, Indonesia, Sept 3 (ANTARA) - Building construction expert Prof Dr Muchlis Muchtar has asked state power firm PT PLN to conduct a comprehensive study for building new hydro-power plants (PLTAs) in West Sumatra, using the water of the Upper and Lower Lakes in Solok regency.

The outcome of the study will serve as a medium-term solution to the power crisis in Sumatra Island, Muchlis said in Padang Thursday.

He said that the twin lakes have plenty of water to operate big scale PLTAs for which PLN will be conducting a comprehensive study.

With regard to a long-term solution, the one-time head of the West Sumatra Development Planning Agency said Sumatra has a big electric energy potential which makes it necessary for the provincial administrations in Sumatra to cooperate with PLN in building new power plants.

This cooperation will also involve independent power producers and an attractive regional power price policy would also be needed to attract investors to do business in this sector, he added.

He said the new power plants will be large scale projects and later linked to the 150 KV Sumatra power grid.***