As reported, the 700km power grid will link Sumatra to Java and include 40km of underwater cables passing through the Sunda Strait. Construction of the project is expected to begin in 2011.
Bambang Praptono, planning and technology director of PLN, told Jakarta Post: “The grid will be used to transmit power from Sumatra to Java so that, in future, we won’t need to build big power plants in Java.”
According to PLN, the cables are to be used to transmit power generated by six coal-fired plants in South Sumatra to the company’s distribution channels in West Java.
A tender for the project is expected to be opened in mid-2010. PLN will finance 20% of the required investment while the remaining 80% will come in the form of a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
