Coal Blockade Threatens Electrity Power for Java

Monday, 28 May, 2012 | 17:29 WIB
 
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:It is feared that the coal blockade by some regions in Kalimantan will disrupt power supplies for Java and Bali. "Java might become pitch-dark," said Helmi Najamuddin, Head of PLN Coal Division, Saturday, May 26, 2012.

Java-Bali PLN Operations Director Ngurah Adnyana said that until April, 62 percent of power in Java and Bali comes from coal-based steam-powered electric plants. Use of coal for the power plants increases by 50 percent compared with last year.

Each year, Helmi said Kalimantan supplies 40 million tons of coal for PLN and for private electric power suppliers. The coal supplies from Sumatera amount to only 15 million tons.

Helim expects the government to immediately overcome the threat, since the steam-powered plants are one of the important installations, given the fact that the coal reserves are enough only for the next 25 days.

ROSALINA | BERNADETTE CHRISTINA | DEWI RINA 

http://www.tempointeractive.com/hg/nasional/2012/05/28/brk,20120528-406708,uk.html