Energy Minister Ignasius Jonan said that electricity generating capacity in Aceh is deemed insufficient due to increasing demand for electricity. Jonan delivered a speech on equity in energy distribution and the development of renewable energy in Syiah Kuala University and he brought up problems of electricity supply in the region.
“For problems of electricity generating capacity and power shut down in Aceh, we hope to deal with the issue before 2019,” Jonan said on Friday, July 21.
The Energy and Mineral Resource Minister added that electricity demand in Aceh has been met with existing power plants, but there is not enough operating reserve, only 30 percent. As a result, when there is mechanical damage to machines or when maintenance is required, the alternate shutdown has to be done.
To deal with the problem, the government will add the number of power plants to increase electricity generating capacity in Aceh.
Meanwhile, Aceh Deputy Governor Nova Iriansyah said that his province will continue to run Geothermal Seulawah project which will be later managed by state-owned energy firm Pertamina under a different scheme. The project is expected to solve electricity problems in Aceh.