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tate-owned electricity company PT PLN is ready to install 500-kilowatt high voltage aerial transmission cables (SUTET) connecting power plants in Java and Bali as part of the company’s efforts to provide adequate electricity to Bali.

Nur Suciyono, the company’s construction unit manager, told The Jakarta Post after meeting with officials at the Buleleng regional administration office Tuesday that the transmission tower would connect power plants in Watu Dodol area in Banyuwangi, East Java, with Segara Rupek power plant in Buleleng regency in North Bali.

Eventually, the transmission cables will connect Buleleng with Kapal power plants in Badung regency, he said.

“The installment will be implemented in the next two or three months and is expected to be complete by 2013,” explained Suciyono.

Currently, Bali has a total supply of only 592 Megawatts (MW). During peak hours, electricity usage can reach 534 MW, which leaves only 58 MW in reserve.

Suciyono said the construction projects would be divided into two phases. The first phase will include the building of a high-voltage aerial transmission tower, which will supply 500 Kilovolt (KV).

The second phase is the installment of high-voltage transmission submarine cables, which will supply 150KV of electricity in Bali.

“The first phase is the new project, while the second is aimed at repairing the existing submarine cables,” he said.

Separately, Made Widhiartha, assistant of economic and development agency of Buleleng, said that PT PLN had conducted series of information programs in the last two years.

“They are now presenting the newest proposal after getting much input from communities and officials in Bali,” he said.

A number of residents have opposed the plan, saying that the tower would be erected near the sacred Pura Segara Rupek Hindu temple.

“They (PT PLN) has to convince us that the new proposal will follow the present spatial plan on Buleleng and Bali in general,” Widhiarta said.