More blackouts to hit Medan

MEDAN, North Sumatra: State electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara purchased 15 megawatts of diesel power Tuesday from a privately owned energy company to deal with the power crisis in North Sumatra.

The purchase, based on a one-year contract, will not prevent blackouts in the province, expected to continue for the next 60 days.

The power company's general manager, Albert Pangaribuan, said the blackouts are unavoidable because a massive overhaul of a gas turbine in Sicanang, Belawan, is urgently required.

""Starting Wednesday, the machine will go through a 60-day maintenance period, causing a 200 megawatt reduction in power supply,"" he said.

He said the purchase of additional diesel power would not prevent blackouts in the province, which has a 160-megawatt power deficit on a regular basis.

""The purchase of power will reduce the deficit, not completely eliminate it,"" Albert said. -- JP