PLN Supply 170 MVA Smelter PT Freeport Indonesia In Gresik

Illustration (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

PT PLN (Persero) supplies additional power to PT Freeport Indonesia in the Java Integrated Industrial and Port Estate (JIIPE) Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Gresik to 170 Megavolt Ampere (MVA).

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo said PLN is also trying to accelerate the addition of electricity supply to be available more quickly on June 1, 2024, than the previous schedule, namely December 2024.

"Reliable electricity supply has a crucial role in supporting economic growth, including for the industrial segment. PLN is committed to supporting downstream efforts in line with the government's strategy to increase the added value of mining commodities," said Darmawan, Wednesday, June 12.

General Manager of PLN East Java Distribution Main Unit (UID East Java) Agus Kuswardoyo explained, the operation of the fourth phase with a capacity of 170 MVA is an extension of the previous stage of operation. The first phase of PLN supplied 30 MVA in September 2023, the second stage of 60 MVA in February 2024 and the third stage of 110 MVA on April 1, 2024.

The key to being important in encouraging economic growth, especially growth in the domestic industrial sector, is the adequacy and reliability of electricity supply. PLN is ready to fully support the electricity supply needs of PT Freeport Indonesia which will start operating gradually in June 2024," said Agus.

Agus added that the operation of this smelter is expected to stimulate the growth of more downstream derivative industries.

This will create a multiplier effect for economic growth in Gresik and East Java Regencies.

Moreover, he said, smelters are strategic projects in downstreaming the mineral industry in Indonesia, so PLN is committed to supplying electricity to PT Freeport Indonesia in the SEZ operated by PT Berkah Kawasan Manyar Sejahtera.

"The trust given to PLN is accompanied by efforts to improve service and reliability of supply so that smelter operations run smoothly so that production increases," he added.

Chief Electrical Engineer of PT Freeport Indonesia, Deeri Rahmat Setyawan, appreciates PLN's alertness in accelerating the connection of additional electricity. So that the power supply needs of 170 MVA can be met successfully.

"We really appreciate PLN's efforts to meet PT Freeport Indonesia's electricity needs according to the agreed period, even PLN is able to serve faster than the initial agreement," said Deeri.