Indonesia Warned Of Potential Crisis In Power Supply In 2018

Yogyakarta (Antara Bali) - The Committee for National Economy and Industry (KEIN) predicted the country will face electricity crisis  with shortage of 1,000 megawatts in power supply in 2018.

Every year an addition of 5,000 MW is needed to meet the public requirement, while the national power utility PLN could provide an additional supply of 4,000 MW, a KEIN member Hendri Saparini said here on Tuesday.

Hendri Saparini said currently the public demand for electricity  including for households, industry  and commercial sectors already exceeds PLN supplying capacity.

"A deficit in supply is 1,000 MW. Unless there is concrete step taken, Indonesia  will face crisis in power supply  in 2018," she said.

She said shortage in supply has forced many areas to suffer the inconvenience of blackouts by turn,mainly outside Java like Sumatra and Kalimantan.

Factories have to stop operation  causing big losses to many industrial companies, she said.

She said the government has to be seriously address the problem  as power energy is a vital element in the economic development.

Shortage in power supply  is potential to weaken the country's competitiveness in the region  especially  with the implementation of ASEAN economic community. (WDY)