PLN Guarantees Electricity Reliability In The Rokan Block, Which Pertamina Has Just Taken Over From Chevron

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) has ensured the reliability of electricity supply for the oil and gas field in Rokan, Riau Province, which is now officially managed by Indonesia through state-owned PT Pertamina Hulu Rokan.

PLN Main Director Zulkifli Zaini said that his party had launched two stages to electrify the largest oil and gas working area in Indonesia, namely the transition phase and the permanent phase.

"In the short term, we will use electricity from the generator, which has been supplying electricity to Rokan, while for the past three years we have prepared an electricity network to connect Rokan's work area with the Sumatran electricity system," Zulkifli said in a statement in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Monday, August 9

PLN has supplied electricity and steam to the Rokan Block starting at 00.00 WIB, today, August 9, 2021. Zulkifli explained that this is in line with the transfer of management of the Rokan Block from an oil and gas company from the United States, Chevron Pacific Indonesia to Pertamina Hulu Rokan.

In order to ensure the supply of electricity and steam in the operation of the Rokan Block, PLN and PHR have agreed and signed a Sales and Purchase Agreement for Electricity and Steam (PJBTLU) on February 1, 2021.

During the transition period, PLN utilizes existing power plants which will last for three years.

The company has acquired shares in the existing power plant which has been electrifying the Rokan Block, namely PLTG North Duri Cogen 300 megawatts and supported by PLTG Minas and Central Duri of 130 megawatts.

In the second phase, the permanent service period will rely on PLN's generators and network starting in 2024. PLN will interconnect the Rokan Block system with the Sumatran electricity system with a capacity of 400 megawatts.

In addition, the company ensures that the supply of reliable electricity from the Sumatra System to the Rokan Block is carried out from three sources.

"PLN will also take from the Sumatra system, which is already large enough in terms of availability of power and the system, both supplied from the system from the south and north through the 275 kilovolt system and will be 500 kilovolts," said Zulkifli.

He further said that electrifying the Rokan Block is proof of PLN in meeting energy needs in large-scale oil and gas mining areas.

According to him, the transfer of management is an important milestone for Indonesia in managing oil and gas working areas.

"For PLN, this is proof that we are able to manage power plants to meet electricity needs in large-scale oil and gas working areas, such as the Rokan Block," concluded Zulkifli.