Electricity Supply Critical in Java and Bali
Tuesday, 23 May, 2006 | 16:21 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The electricity supply in Java and Bali are experiencing a deficit because the gas supply to the Muara Karang and Tanjung Priok gas and steam-powered electricity generators (PLTGU) from the off-shore gas field operated by BP West Java is lessened. As a result, electricity supplies for Java and Bali are insufficient by 300 megawatts.

According to PLN Managing Director, Djuanda, to replace the gas supply, PLN has been operating the generators using fuel oil. Every day, he said, 1,600 kiloliters of fuel oil is needed. “The cost is around Rp8 billion per day,” he said yesterday. By using fuel oil, the two generators can supply around 200 megawatts of power to Java and Bali's electricity systems.

Djuanda explained, the gas supply to Muara Karang and Tanjung Priok was reduced to 130 million cubic feet per day from 360 million cubic feet. The undersea gas pipe from the gas field in the Java Sea leaked because it was slit by an anchor.

In spite of the lack of electricity, Djuanda guaranteed electricity will not be shut down. He asked the industries to cut down on their usage at peak load. In addition, PLN asked the general public to turn off two lights between 5 and 10pm.

PLN spokesperson for Jakarta and Tangerang Distribution, Azwar Lubis, said to overcome the shortage, the local PLN has reduced the voltage at several main powerhouses. It is reduced to 1.5 kilovolt from between 20 kilovolt and 22 kilovolt. “So the 100 megawatt shortfall for Jakarta and Tangerang areas can be lessened by 40 - 50 megawatts,” he said.

The 50- 60 megawatt shortfall, Anwar said, will be covered from the reduction of electricity usage by PT Krakatau Steel. The government-owned steel company, he said, has agreed the electricity usage would be reduced by 50- 60 megawatt.

The Energy and Mineral Resources Minister, Purnomo Yusgiantoro said the repair of the gas pipe leading to PLTGU Muara Karang and Tanjung Priok will finish in 10 to 14 days. So far, he said, the government is still calculating the loss due to the gas pipe leakage. According to Purnomo, the gas supply stopped for security reasons.

PT Pertamina's Head of Fuel Oil Sales and Distribution, Djaelani Sutomo, said he has coordinated with PT PLN to supply the generators' fuel oil needs. “We give a two-week supply instead of one-week requested by PLN,” he said.

PLTGU Muara Karang, Djaelani said, only needs 500 kiloliters fuel oil per day. During the fuel crisis, Pertamina added to the supply to 1,500 kiloliters per day. Djaelani went on to say the addition fuel oil supply for PLN will not disrupt the supply for consumers.

The data from PLN up to yesterday, electricity energy that was supplied to all generators in Java and Bali reached 14,125 megawatts. Electricity usage at peak load was 14,180 megawatts with a deficit operation reserve of 55 megawatts.

Ali Nur Yasin, Oktamandjaya Wiguna, and Aqida Trimurti