Jakarta (ANTARA News) - State-owned electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) has pledged that a power generating vessel in Ambon, Maluku Province will come on stream by the end of March 2017, an official stated.

The Marine Vessel Power Plant (MVPP) from Turkey hired by PLN arrived in the Waai village in Central Maluku District on March 15, according to the Director of Malukus Regional Business Affairs, Haryanto WS in a written statement received here on Wednesday.

Now, the testing stage is being carried out before it can operate commercially or COD at the end of March 2017.

"The power generating vessel is a quick solution to the demand for electricity in Ambon Island," he pointed out.

Several stages of the testing include providing a voltage, synchronization, and load tests.

He further said MVPP will supply power through transmission lines to the sub-station 70 kV (GI) and GI Passo Sirimau, which was completed in 2016 before being distributed to the houses of customers.

PLN signed the MVPP lease contract for 60 MW with PT Kar Powership Indonesia.

According to him, the installed capacity for the power generating vessel can accommodate up to 120 MW.

The MVPP supply is expected to meet economic growth and attract investors to Ambon, Haryanto said, adding that the vessel was fueled by oil heavy fuel oil (HFO) type was hired by PLN for five years to add electricity supply to Ambon Island.

Previously, a similar 120 MW power plant was operating in Amurang in North Sulawesi and in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) for 60 MW.

Additionally, two more ships will soon operate in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) for 60 MW and Belawan, North Sumatra for 240 MW.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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