PLN Supply 140 MVA To Nickel Smelter Industry In East Kalimantan

Illustration (Photo: Antara Doc)

JAKARTA - PT PLN (Persero) is ready to supply electricity needs in the industrial sector, especially the mineral downstream industry to boost economic growth and increase added value.

General Manager of PLN Parent Unit for East Kalimantan-North Kalimantan (UIW Kaltimra) Saleh Siswanto explained that PLN supplied 140 MVA to a nickel smelter company in Kariangau, Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.

This agreement was demonstrated by the signing of the Power Purchase Agreement (PJBTL) between PLN and PT Mitra Murni Perkasa in Balikpapan, on Thursday 30 June.

"The smelter industry is one of the national projects to support mineral downstreaming, therefore we are ready to meet the electricity needs of business developers in Indonesia with reliable quality and competitive prices," Saleh said in an official statement, Wednesday, July 6.

The economic recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic has shown an increase in electricity demand in East Kalimantan, especially in the future IKN will be built which will become the new economic epicenter in Indonesia.

He also predicts business and industry will continue to grow.

"With the forerunner of IKN becoming a new economic center, we invite investors not to hesitate in developing their business to East Kalimantan. You focus on taking care of the business, we will take care of the electricity," Saleh added.

PLN's optimism in electrifying businesses and industries in East Kalimantan is not without reason.

Currently, Saleh continued, the electricity system in East Kalimantan and South Kalimantan has been connected to a 150kV interconnection transmission network with a Net Capability of 2164 MW and the highest peak load of 1345 MW. This means that there is still a surplus of 800 MW.

In the future, to strengthen the interconnection system, a south line looping interconnection network will be built that crosses Tarjun-Sei Durian-Tanah Grogot, so that the East and South Kalimantan systems will be more solidly connected.

PLN will also increase the generating capacity of the East-South-Central Kalimantan interconnection system, where by 2024 there will be additional power plants with a power of up to 400 MW in East Kalimantan and South Kalimantan.

Director of PT Mitra Murni Perkasa, Jessy said, the industry built in Balikpapan is one of the large industrial branches which requires electricity as the main support.

"We are grateful and grateful for the electricity cooperation with PLN. Hopefully this can run in harmony for the convenience of both parties," said Jessy.

PT Mitra Murni Perkasa, which is engaged in nickel ore processing, targets its factory to be ready to operate by the end of 2024.

Therefore, PLN will move quickly in carrying out electrical construction work and is targeted for completion in the 4th quarter of 2024.