TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The State Electricity Company (PLN) has reported an almost six-percent increase in its fuel oil usage in the first quarter, to 1.8 million kiloliters, caused partly by gas shortages.
"Fuel consumption has increased because gas utilization in North Sumatra was zero. Last year, [PLN] used 16 [mmbtu] per day," PLN's head of fuel and gas division Suryadi Mardjoeki, said on Thursday, April 24, 2014.
In addition to fuel, PLN's consumption of coal and gas has reached 10.1 million tons and 109.8 trillion BTU, respectively. The gas consumption has increased by 12.8 percent compared to last year.
Despite increasing fuel consumption, Suryadi is optimistic that the target to reduce fuel consumption can be achieved. This year PLN has set a target to reduce fuel consumption to 9.7 percent from 12.3 percent recorded last year.
BERNADETTE CHRISTINA MUNTHE