State-owned electricity firm PT PLN has initiated a trial of a 150kV electricity supply to North Morowali (Morut) Regency, Central Sulawesi, sourced from the Sulewana Hydroelectric Power Plant (PLTA) in Poso Regency.
“The first electricity supply to the Sulewana-Tompira transmission network (SUTT) and the operation of the Mewanta Tompira Substation (GI) have been completed, along with load testing, ensuring that the electricity supply to Morut and part of Morowali is now covered by PLTA Sulewana,” said Wisnu Kuncoro Adi, General Manager of the Sulawesi Generation Unit at PT PLN (Persero), on Wednesday (March 26) in Morut, as reported by Antara.
He explained that the company had recently finished constructing a 150kV transmission network that spans 128 kilometers with 362 towers, linking the Sulewana Hydroelectric Power Plant to the Mewanta Tompira Substation. The cost for these two projects totaled Rp 604 billion and Rp 60 billion, respectively.
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“With the entry of electricity from Sulewana, we can ensure that there will be no more power disruptions or outages from the generation side, as the supply is now sufficient and the 150kV transmission line is free from tree-related disruptions,” he stated.
He clarified that there may still be some risk of tree-related issues on the medium-voltage lines because the average height of the power poles is about 10 to 12 meters from the ground.
The operation of the SUTT transmission and the Mewanta Tompira Substation now provides Morut with a power capacity of 30 MW, while the area's peak load, rich in nickel and palm oil, is only 14 MW.
“There is currently a surplus of 17 MW available for use by investors or households. This power supply is also highly reliable, as its voltage now meets PLN’s standard of 20kV, compared to the previous range of 16 to 17 kV,” Wisnu explained.
Meanwhile, North Morowali Regent Delis J Hehi expressed relief with the start of operations of the SUTT transmission and the Mewanta Tompira Substation, as the region had long faced electricity problems.
Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak
