PLTMG Bangkanai Increases Kalimantan Electricity Supply 2,300 MW

PLTMG Bangkanai di Desa Karendan, Kecamatan Lahei, Kabupaten Barito Utara memiliki daya mampu pembangkit 280 MW. (ANTARA/Firman)

BANJARBARU - PT PLN (Persero) has started operating the Bangkanai Gas Engine Power Plant (PLTMG) phase 2 which increases the electricity supply in Kalimantan's interconnection system to more than 2,300 megawatts (MW).

"Previously, the PLTMG Bangkanai phase 1, which consisted of 16 gas engines, had been operating with a capacity of 140 MW. The construction of the PLTMG phase 2 will increase the generating capacity to 280 MW", said General Manager of PLN's Kalimantan Generation and Distribution Main Unit, Daniel Eliwardhana, as quoted by ANTARA, Saturday, August 27.

General Manager of PLN Main Unit for West Kalimantan Development, Reisal Rimtahi Hasoloan, explained that the presence of the power plant located in Karendan Village, Lahei District, North Barito Regency, increases the supply and reliability of electricity in Kalimantan, which includes the provinces of South, Central, and East Kalimantan.

"We are grateful that in the midst of various challenges such as the pandemic and access to power plant locations that are difficult to reach, PLN has succeeded in completing the construction of strategic projects that are very beneficial for the people of Kalimantan", he said.

Moreover, in building this project, PLN optimizes the use of domestically produced components. The domestic component level (TKDN) was recorded at more than 44.55 percent.

In the future, PLN will build the Kalimantan electricity toll road which will connect the electricity system in West Kalimantan Province with the interconnection system of South, Central, and East Kalimantan via the Kendawangan transmission line in Central Kalimantan to Sukamara in West Kalimantan.

Meanwhile, on the West Kalimantan side, the interconnection of the Ketapang system and the Equator system will be strengthened by the 150 kV Tayan-Sandai SUTT which is the longest transmission line in West Kalimantan currently being built.