Batang. A number of activists occupied a piling barge in waters off of Batang, Central Java, on Thursday (30/03) to block construction of a coal-fired power plant in the area.

Residents of Batang, mostly farmers and fishermen, have been fighting for more than five years to oppose the Batang plant, known as the Central Java Power Project. Activists from organizations such as Greenpeace, Indonesian Forum for Environment (WALHI) and Mining Advocacy Network (JATAM) joined local residents in the demonstration.

The Central Java Power Project, if completed, will be the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia, with a capacity of 1,900 megawatts.

The project is being developed by local industrial company Bhimasena Power Indonesia (BPI).