Sibayak Geothermal Power Plant

active

In January 1996, PT Dizamatra Powerindo and PT Pertamina, a state-owned oil company, signed a JOC (Joint Operation Contract) to develop Sibayak geothermal field in North Sumatra. Under JOC, Powerindo was reponsible to deliver the produced electricity to PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN). An Energy Sales Contract (ESC) was signed by Powerindo and PLN for the Powerindo to build own and operate a 120 MW geothermal power plant in Sibayak, North Sumatra, under a long term 30 year contract. The project was sidetracked during the 1997 financial crisis but was revived in 2000 when Powerindo and PLN agreed with a new contract and agreed electricity price. In 2005, Powerindo and China National Electric Wire and Cable Imp/Exp Corporation agreed to continue building the 120 MW power plant. Under the agreement, they planned to construct a 10 MW in the first phase. China National provided two generator turbine geothermal units each capable of producing 5.65 MW. They expected the plant to start operation in mid-2007. The cost is estimated to be around IDR 113.4 billion or US$14.6 million (calculated using 2006 US$/IDR average). The financial closure was reached in July 2006 when PT Primanaya signed an EPC with Powerindo. In October 2008, it was reported that the plant was expected to become operational during 2009. Information on the project is very sparse. There is an indication that the project was one of the renegotiated PPAs after the financial crisis in 1996. Initially, the project was supposed to produce 144 MW. However, there is also news which indicates the project's capacity to bet at 120 MW. The website of PLN shows the capacity of 10 MW - according to one news source, this is only for expansion. Researcher cannot find any substantive information on the sponsor - PT Dizamarta Powerindo - in the internet. PLN's website shows it is an IPP.