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Batam opens RI's first CNG-based power plant
In a bid to solve the electricity shortage in Bintan Island, PT PLN Batam in cooperation with PT Navigat Energy have begun the operation of a 6-megawatt (MW) marine compressed natural gas (CNG)-based power plant (PLTMG) in Takojo Kijang, Bintan Island, Riau Islands
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n a bid to solve the electricity shortage in Bintan Island, PT PLN Batam in cooperation with PT Navigat Energy have begun the operation of a 6-megawatt (MW) marine compressed natural gas (CNG)-based power plant (PLTMG) in Takojo Kijang, Bintan Island, Riau Islands.
The CNG-based power plant was officially inaugurated by Riau Islands Governor Muhammad Sani Tuesday.
This is the country's first power plant to run on CNG.
The new power plant will be connected to PLN Batam's Tanjung Pinang branch's network to meet Bintan Island's electricity needs, state-owned electricity company PLN's subsidiary PLN Batam president director Dadan Koerniadipura said, adding that the total construction cost reached Rp 50 billion (US$ 4.4 million).
'CNG-based power plants will solve electricity shortages, especially in islands and border regions. This is the first such project in Indonesia, and probably in the world,' said Dadan.
Dadan said CNG, which would be produced from natural gas production in Riau Islands and surrounding areas, would be transported by CNG marine carrier Landing Craft Tanks (LCT) to Bintan Island.
'It [the electricity shortage] has been an ongoing problem and the new power plant is the solution to the issue,' Governor Sani said.
The cost of electricity produced by natural gas was cheaper than that produced by diesel fuel, said PLN Batam's director of business and venture development Ardian Cholid, adding that the production cost of using natural gas is Rp 2,100 per kilowatt hour (kwh), while that of diesel fuel is Rp 3,200 per kwh.
The construction of the CNG-based power plant started in December 2013, and was completed in mid-February 2014, Ardian said.
'PLN Batam has certainly made a breakthrough here, which could lead to more CNG power plants being built in other parts of Riau Islands,' said
Meanwhile, PLN general manager for Riau and Riau Islands Dodi Pangaribuan stated that the company would pay Rp 8 billion to PT PLN Batam for the 6 MW electricity bill.
'Operating at full capacity, the CNG power plant will be able to provide electricity for 6,000 houses,' said Dody.
PLN Batam has recently said that it planned to export part of its electricity output to neighboring Singapore, but that concrete negotiations had yet to take place.
In addition, PLN Batam has just recently started operations at its 2x55 MW steam power plant Tanjung Kasam, and is slated to complete the construction of its 190 MW gas-fired power plant in Batam next year. (alz)
