MCAI To Assist PLTMH Development

Padang Aro, (Antara Sumbar) - "Millennium Challenge Account Indonesia (MCAI)" assists PT Selo Kencana Energy (SKE) in the Mini Hydro Power Plant (PLTMH) to develop generator capacity in South Solok, West Sumatra.

"In order to be assisted in funding the development of renewable energy, MCAI requires the company to establish partnerships with community, thereby providing more benefits for local people," Cross Cutting MCAI Arif Khristanto stated during a socialization event in Padang Aro on Tuesday.

He said the MCAI would encourage a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between community and company.

Society must have a special container that can arrange a program and can guard it properly.

"After the MoU, the future of community is company or other parties agreed upon by both parties," he said.

Field Coordinator of PT SKE Guswinarno said, SKE is not ready 100 percent, because there are still open channels which has landslides potential.

"Then the MCAI came and offered help to complete the shortfall," he said.

He said, PT SKE can generate a maximum electricity of eight megawatts but currently only 5.6 megawatts.

In addition, he said, PT SKE's operations are still dependent on PLN for its operations so that it needs black star to be built.

According to PLN's request, PT SKE should be able to operate on its own without any initial power from PLN.

This is important if there is a disruption of the external network as a falling power pole that can not operate due to the voltage of PLN cut off, while PT SKE need voltage from PLN.

For that, PT SKE needs to modify the system so that it can operate without PLN supply.

"The modifications made are the installation of "Black Start" device," he added. (cha)

Editor: Vicha Faradika