Mimika regent to fix power, waste management crisis

Markus Makur ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Timika   |  Mon, 12/22/2008 11:04 AM  |  The Archipelago

Recently sworn-in Mimika Regent Klemen Tinal pledged to address power and waste management crises in the regency within the first 100 days of his 5-year tenure.

One of the most pressing issues is the rolling power outages imposed by the Timika sub-branch of the state power company PT PLN.

PLN Timika has, to date, not been able to resolve the crisis and has resorted to imposing rotating blackouts to cope with frequent faults in its obsolete equipment.

"The Mimika regency administration has held a meeting with the Jayapura PLN branch and Timika sub-branch as part of an effort to improve services ahead of Christmas and New Year," Tinal told reporters at the Timika Regional Development Board office on Dec. 12.

Sworn-in by Papua Governor Barnabas Suebu on Dec. 4, Tinal said he would discuss the power crisis with PLN and swiftly deal with the waste problem in Timika city.

He said that there was no reason Timika's waste should not be managed well and pledged to immediately implement his middle-term program.

"We will seek alternative sources of energy because power is a basic necessity," Tinal said.

Besides electricity, healthcare, education and the provision of clean water are issues requiring immediate attention, he added, saying that the issues must be resolved within the long-term development plan.

The regency administration will upgrade the power grid and transformers in order that the four districts neighboring of Timika -- Mimika Baru, East Mimika, Far East Mimika and Kuala Kencana -- can be connected with an adequate network.

The regency will seek renewable, alternative energy sources, including hydro and wind power for nine of its districts.

"We will develop various strategies in Mimika regency to overcome the power crisis," Tinal said.

"We have conducted surveys on water currents in Iwaka River and found that it has the potential to generate hydro-electric power."

He added that solar power would no longer be pursued as installed infrastructure has not been maintained properly. Most residents have sold their solar power equipment.

"We will no longer develop solar power in the rural areas. We will concentrate on better means of energy to supply power to the 12 districts in Mimika," Tinal said.

Timika PLN sub-branch manager Trimanto said the Jayapura PLN branch had responded to his office's complaints about the rolling blackouts in Timika and the surrounding areas.

He said PLN Jayapura would send a generator in the next few days to prevent outages over Christmas and New Year.

"Currently, five PLN and another five leased generators are operating in Timika and its surrounding areas," said Trimanto.

"However, rotating blackouts remain unavoidable. We have discussed the current crisis with the Mimika regency administration."

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