Good News From PLN To Support The Smelter Industry In Sulawesi: Electricity Supply Is Guaranteed To Be Fulfilled

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero) or PLN has ensured that it will fulfill all electricity needs for the mineral processing and refining industry (smelters) in Sulawesi. The reason is, the potential for nickel in Southeast Sulawesi and Central Sulawesi is very large.

PLN's Director of Commerce and Customer Management, Bob Saril, said that according to government policy, Sulawesi's nickel potential must be processed through downstream industries in order to provide added value to the Indonesian economy.

Furthermore, Bob said the smelter industry is a nickel downstream which requires a large amount of electrical energy and PLN is ready to fulfill it.

To date, there are 61 potential customers for the mineral processing and refining facility (smelter) project in Sulawesi whose electricity needs reach 7,184 megavolt amperes (MVA).

"PLN as a company entrusted with the mandate in the electricity sector in Indonesia has an obligation to meet electricity needs and provide the best service for all customers, including customers of the smelter industry," he said in an official statement, quoted on Wednesday 9 June.

Bob hopes that his party can serve and provide reliable, quality, and competitively priced electricity for smelter companies, as well as provide innovative products and services such as total electricity solutions and Renewable Energy Certificates (REC).

"The cooperation between PLN and the smelter industry is expected to create jobs and encourage the national economy, especially in Sulawesi," he said.

The Regional Secretary of the Southeast Sulawesi Provincial Government, Nur Endang Abbas, appreciated PLN's commitment to meeting the electricity needs of the smelter industry in Sulawesi.

"We welcome and appreciate PLN's extraordinary commitment in ensuring the electricity demand for the smelter industry in Sulawesi," he said.

In addition, Endang also hopes that with adequate electricity supply in Southeast Sulawesi, it will be able to have an impact and welfare for the people in Southeast Sulawesi.

Ready to build electricity infrastructure

PLN Regional Business Director, Maluku, Papua, and Nusa Tenggara Syamsul Huda explained that the Sulawesi electricity system has an adequate and environmentally friendly electricity supply.

"The current electricity system in Sulawesi has a capacity of 2,365 MW, with a power reserve of 602 MW. The composition of the power supply is 20.34 percent supplied from renewable energy plants," said Huda.

In accordance with the Business Plan for the Provision of Electricity (RUPTL) 2021–2030, Huda continued, PLN will increase its generating capacity by 3,698 MW, of which 58 percent is NRE. In addition, to distribute the electricity, PLN will also build 7,052-kilometer circuits (kms) of High Voltage Air Lines (SUTT) with 4,702 MVA Substations spread throughout Sulawesi.

On the same occasion, one of the smelter industry players, Director of PT Huadi Nickel Alloy Indonesia, Jos Stefan Hideky expressed his gratitude for the services and electricity supply provided by PLN.

"PLN's response in serving us is very good, this is evidenced by the ease of service and the need for electricity for our smelters for two years running safely and reliably without the slightest blackout," said Jos.