PLN Brings Good News, The Sumatra-Bangka Submarine Power Cable Project Worth Rp1.4 Trillion Will Be Completed By The End Of 2021

PLN marine cable. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero) or PLN is targeting the Sumatra and Bangka electricity systems to be connected to underwater power lines in December 2021. This Rp1.9 trillion project has a number of benefits, one of which is saving operating costs.

Director of Mega Projects and EBT, Wiluyo Kusdwiharto said that of the total power plant capacity of 248 MW, currently electricity supply in Bangka is still dominated by diesel power plants (PLTD). By connecting the submarine cable, BPP Bangka will decrease by 57 percent from IDR 2,454 per kilowatt hour (kWh) to IDR 1,054 per kWh.

"By connecting the two electrical systems, the company will save operating costs of up to Rp1.4 trillion," he said in a statement, quoted Friday, September 24.

In addition to saving operational costs, said Wiluyo, the project can also stop the operation of 5 Diesel Power Plants (PLTD) of 65 megawatts (MW) which will benefit the increase in fuel efficiency by 186 million liters.

"And reduce emissions by more than 221,000 tons of CO2 per year. Most importantly, the electricity supply in Bangka will be more reliable," he said.

Furthermore, Waluyo said that currently the total power capable of generating plants in Bangka reaches 187.7 megawatts (MW), with a peak load of 174.9 MW. Bangka Island will receive additional electricity supply of around 109 MVA from the 36 kilometer circuit (kms) undersea power cable.

Not only increasing reliability, the presence of the power cable will cut the cost of production (BPP) in Bangka. This is because electricity from low-cost power plants in Sumatra can be channeled to Bangka Island.

Wiluyo hopes that the more reliable electricity supply will be able to boost Bangka's economic growth and improve people's welfare.

"With the operation of the Sumatra-Bangka submarine cable, PLN can also improve services, especially to accommodate industrial customer demands in the fisheries sector," he said.

For your information, the construction of this power cable has been started since 2020. This power cable spans 36 kilometers of circuits (kms).