Sumatra Interconnection, PLN Will Supply Electricity To Bangka

JAKARTA - PT PLN (Persero) has succeeded in providing the first stage of voltage to the 150 KV high-voltage overhead line (SUTT) transmission from the Muntok Substation (GI) to the Muntok landing point, West Bangka.

Director of Mega Projects and EBT PLN, Wiluyo Kusdwiharto explained, the completion of a series of interconnection systems on the Bangka side marked the readiness of infrastructure before electrical power from the Sumatra electricity system entered the Bangka electricity system.

Currently, Bangka Island's electricity system is supplied from fossil fuel power plants with a capacity of 183 megawatts (MW), while the current peak load is 181 MW.

"So if there is maintenance of the generator, there is the potential for a deficit or blackout," he said.

With this interconnection, the Bangka electricity system is integrated into the Sumatra electricity system, so that electricity supply from power plants in Sumatra can anticipate high growth and the potential for increasing electricity demand.

"In addition, to stop the use of fossil fuel plants in Bangka so as to reduce the cost of electricity production," he continued.

General Manager of the PLN Main Unit for Southern Sumatra Development, Muhammad Dahlan Djamaluddin, said that the provision of voltage was carried out after going through various stages that must be carried out with great care. The reason is, during this process the Bangka electrical system must continue to operate normally without blackouts.

Currently, the 36-kilometer (km) undersea cable circuit 1 has stretched from the Tanjung Carat Landing Point, Sumatra to the Muntok Landing Point, Bangka. While circuit 2 is still in the stage of deploying cables. Meanwhile on the Sumatra side, the construction process is still ongoing.

"Where the majority are located in swamps and muddy soils, so the process requires special skills and methods such as using small boats to mobilize equipment and materials. Even the geographical conditions at some points are extreme locations and prone to predators of rivers and swamps," he explained.

He hopes that the Sumatra - Bangka interconnection work process can be completed soon so that Bangka electricity can be immediately connected to a single system with electricity in Sumatra to ensure the availability of reliable, efficient and environmentally friendly electricity supply for Bangka residents.

Dahlan also expressed his gratitude for the support of stakeholders and the community.

"We thank you very much for the hard work of the entire team and the support of stakeholders who have provided a lot of support and assistance during the stress testing and loading process," he said.