Indonesia PLN to Import & Export Electricity

VIVAnews - State electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara will begin import and export electricity in 2014 with the initial target of 50-100 megawatt.  

“We can start this in two more years,” said President Director of PLN, Nur Pamudji, today, Feb 27. 

Indonesia is planning to import and export electricity to and from several neighboring countries. However, he also said that electricity exports are only possible domestic electricity demand has been fulfilled. 

Director of PLN’s Planning & Risk Management, Murtaqi Syamsuddin, said the Kalimantan-Serawak interconnections are likely to be put to bidding this year. “In 2014, everything will be ready,” he said. 

According to Murtaqi, PLN will be responsible for Indonesia whereas Serawak Energy Berhad will invest from the Malaysian side. 

The plan is that Indonesia will import electricity from Serawak to supply electricity in West Kalimantan by referring to major power plant pricing. Meanwhile, Indonesia is planning to export from Sumatra to Malaysia and Singapore, because the nation's coal supply in Sumatra is enormous. 

The Energy Market Authority (EMA) in Singapore said it needs imported electricity. EMA has made a rough framework of regulations and has asked PLN to provide inputs. “It will benefit PLN’s business,” he said.