REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BATANG –- Construction of Steam Power Plant (PLTU) Batang, Central Java, will be started on Friday (28/8). The power plant is considered as the largest in South East Asia with predicted cost around Rp 40 trillion.
Corporate Secretary of the State Electricity Company (PLN) explained, the construction kick-off procession will be followed by the inauguration of the electrification of 50 Indonesian leading island. PT PLN was officially assigned by the government as part of the main constructors of the project.
Two other private companies participating in this projects are Bhimasena Power, a consortium of PT Adaro Energy Tbk and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC).
The construction plan of PLTU Batang was planned to begin in 2012. However, the process was often hampered by land acquisition problems with locals. The land acquisition problems was resolved through revision of Presidential Decree No. 71 of 2012 on the implementation of land acquisition for the construction of the public interest.
President Director of PLN, Sofyan Basir said that the power plant will contribute to achieve 2 thousand megawatts (MW) of the total target of 35 thousand MW of electricity.