TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-The construction of Jatigede Hydro Power Plant in Sumedang, West Java, has begun. Regional Business Director of PLN in West Java, Nasri Sebayang said Jatigede hydro power plant will be operated in 2018. “Its now under construction, together with an investigation after an exploration,” Nasri said in his office on Tuesday, October 27.

The construction comprise of a power house, water carrier canal, water tank, rapid pipes, and exhaust. The company is also building a transformer yard and switch yard transmission facility, transmission network and building support in the hydro power plant vicinity.

The investment value is $140 million. The hydro power plant will have a capacity of 110MW and will be integrated in the 150KV Java-Bali transmission system. “We expect the commercial on demand to be on time,” said Nasri.

The Public Works Ministry is still flooding the reservoir. Previously, Public Works and Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said that the reservoir will be filled with 221m of water (from sea level) by the end of October.

In addition to electric power plant, Jatigede will irrigate Sumedang, Majalengka, until Cirebon areas. The reservoir will also be used as flood control.

ROBBY IRFANY