ITDC, Pertamina to Build Solar Power Plant in Lombok's Mandalika Resort
Jakarta. State-owned Pengembangan Pariwisata Indonesia, the operator of Nusa Dua complex in southern Bali, has agreed with state energy company Pertamina to start construction of a 50-megawatt solar power plant in West Nusa Tenggara, paving the way for further development of a resort complex in the island.
The operator, commonly known as Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), devised the plant to power Mandalika Resort, a 1,175-hectare tourism complex that the company is developing in Lombok Island.
Under ITDC's masterplan, the solar power plant will utilize the land under the solar panels as a greenhouse to grow crops organically.
"This is in line with Mandalika's eco-tourism concept," Abdulbar M Mansoer, ITDC's president director, told reporters on Friday (15/04).
The company will develop the solar power plant in stage and targets it to reach full capacity by 2019.
ITDC and Pertamina has yet to secure power purchase agreement with state utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), crucial for distribution of electricity from the solar power plant. PLN holds electricity distribution monopoly right in the country.
"The solar power plant will work in tandem with power from PLN, to supply peak demand during the day," Abdulbar said.
He did not elaborate on how much the plan would cost. But, Brahmantyo Istidjoso, a director of risk management at Finance Mininstry said that the government readied up to Rp 1.9 trillion ($143 million) for developing infrastructure in Mandalika.
The power plant, which takes up to 50 hectares of land, will help supply half of the resort's power capacity need that is projected to reach 110 megawatts by 2025 to power hotels, theme park, private villas and a race track in the complex.
ITDC has invested Rp 400 billion in Mandalika to build a 250-room hotel under Pullman brand. It also set aside Rp 900 billion for a Club Med hotel that will host 400 rooms.
The two hotels will start construction in October and will start operation in 2018. Abdulbar hopes the construction would encourages other committed investors behind hotel chains Royal Tulip, Marriott and Intercontinental to start their projects as well.
The government has designated Mandalika a special economic zone that benefits from tax breaks and other incentives from government.
Tags: Keywords: