Portable Power Plants Accommodate Society`s Needs: President Jokowi

Mempawah (Antara Bali) - Portable power plants could accommodate the societys electricity needs, Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said at a portable gas energy source launching here on Saturday (March 18).

"Eight power plants, which generate 500 Megawatts (MW) of energy, have been launched today to fulfill the needs of factories, industries, hotels, tourism sectors, as well as domestic electricity needs," the president remarked in Mempawah District, around two-hour driving distance from Pontianak, West Kalimantan Provinces capital city.

At the launch on Saturday, the president was assisted by the First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo and ministers, including the Coordinating Human Development and Culture Minister Puan Maharani, the Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Ignasius Jonan, State Owned Enterprises Minister Rini Soemarno, the States Electricity Company Director Sofyan Basir, and West Kalimantan Governor Cornelis.

The president not only launched the portable gas power plants in the districts Jungkak Village but also introduced the seven other power plants in Jerangjang, West Nusa Tenggara Province; Air Anyir and Suge Bangka, Belitung Province; Tarahan, Lampung Province; Nias and Paya Pasir, North Sumatra Province; and Balai Pungut, Riau Province.

"Electricity needs of at least 100 domestic areas will be accommodated by these eight power plants," he noted.

Unlike other energy sources, the "Mobile Power Plant" (MPP) is not built in a fixed place. Therefore, the machine could be moved flexibly, Jokowi stated.

He further expressed hope that the machine could use gas as a main source of energy instead of diesel or Marine Fuel Oil.

"Gas is way cheaper and more environmentally friendly compared to another energy sources," the president reiterated.

During the same occasion, Jokowi reminded the states electricity company on the delayed development of 34 power plants in the country.

"The power plants construction is important to meet the demands of factories, industries, as well as tourism sectors," he reiterated.

The president earlier noted that he had sought a report from the Development Finance Comptroller on the progress of construction of 34 power plants, which have been delayed for around seven to eight months.

In the agencys latest report, around 71 of 109 projects are still in the planning and procurement stages. (WDY)