Govt to Construct Biomass Power Plant

Semarang - The government has planned to establish a biomass power plant with coconut shells as its power source on Karimunjawa Islands, Central Java. 

Taking most of its supply from Wonosobo, the power plant is set to operate in 2015 with an estimated power output of 504 kilowatt. 

The Head of Energy and Mineral Resources Agency of Central Java, Teguh Dwi Paryono, mentioned that coconut shells could be easily found and that they would be regularly supplied from Kalimantan.

Teguh said the biomass power plant was deemed more effective compared to the existing diesel power plant that spent around Rp 3 billion per year. He added the diesel power plant was also beset by numerous problems, including delayed supplies due to extreme weather.

Assistant to Manager of External Relation Marketing of PT Pertamina Region VII Central Java-Yogyakarta, Robert M.V. Dumatubun, mentioned the operation of the biomass power plant would help Pertamina save the nation's energy reserves as it was renewable and environmentally-friendly.

He added that Pertamina had been grappling with unfavorable winds and ocean currents in meeting the demand for oil from Karimunjawa. 

Source : Tempo