Bali Rejects PLN`s Java-Bali Electrical Transmission
Indonesian state-owned electric company PLN almost failed to pursue the construction of its Java-Bali 500 KV jumbo electrical transmission following numerous rejections from Bali residents.
PLN’s East Java and Bali Business Director Djoko Rahardjo Abumanan claims that the transmission project is essential to avoid a possible electricity crisis that may strike Bali by the year 2021, considering that Bali’s is only backed by a 1,100 MW capacity power plant.
The power plant is currently used to accommodate Bali’s 800 MW peak load. Djoko argues that Bali needs to increase its electricity capacity by 100 MW annually following its rapid growth in electricity consumption.
“We have already forewarned. If the people [don’t want it to be constructed] it is only a matter of time that Bali is in a total blackout,” Djoko said yesterday.
The polemic surrounding the electricity transmission construction arose after the project was met with resistance by religious institution Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia. The institution refused to have the 376 meter-high transmission just two kilometers from the Pura Segara Rupek Hindu Temple, which it’s chairman , I Gusti Ngurah Sudiana said that it would disrupt the purity of the temple’s radius.
Lately, the rejection also came from the Majelis Madya Desa Pakraman Buleleng.
PLN continued to back down from continuing the project after its dominant financial backing, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), officially backed-off from the US$385 million project. The ASEAN Infrastructure Fund is reportedly committed in providing additional US$25,000 apart from PLN’s main financial backing.
However, PLN President Director Sofyan Basir said that the project will continue to be constructed in a different form if it is continued to be met with the public’s rejection. PLN plans to build an underwater transmission even though it will cost more than the original project.
Courtesy : Tempo.co
Photo : Merdeka
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