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Dozens of renewable power plants fall into disrepair
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Solar panels that have been installed on Ponelo Island, Gorontalo province. (thejakartapost.com/Syamsul Huda M.Suhari)
T
he government says 68 renewable energy plants, mostly constructed in remote areas that are not connected to the electricity network of state-owned electricity company PLN, have sustained damage.
“Fifty-five 55 projects worth Rp 261 billion (US$18.27 million) have sustained minor damage, while 13 others worth Rp 48.85 billion sustained heavy damage,” said the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry’s energy conservation and renewable energy director general, Rida Mulyana, in Jakarta on Monday as reported by tribunnews.com.
Rida spoke to journalists to clarify reports claiming failure at 142 energy renewable power projects.
He explained that between 2011 and 2017, the government constructed 686 renewable energy power plants worth Rp 3.01 trillion (US$210.7 million) that were financed through the state budget.
Rida said only 68 projects worth about Rp 305 billion had been handed over to regional administrations to supply electricity to the public. They are among 126 projects worth Rp 1.04 trillion.
He said heavy damage at some of the plants had been caused by landslides, flooding or lightning and the plants could not be fully operated. He did not elaborate on the condition of plants that sustained minor damage.
He said this year, the ministry had allocated Rp 8.9 billion for renewable energy plants, but had not managed to find business partners for the projects. Next year, the ministry has allocated 17.68 billion for similar projects. (bbn)
