Wind Turbines Fail to Generate Power
The
Sat, 12/20/2008
Komang Erviani
The government has plans to
build wind farms all over the
Seven wind turbines launched in Nusa Penida, an
island southeast of
A solar plant was also opened during
the conference, as a demonstration of the administrations commitment to
renewable energy. The solar plant continues to perform efficiently, producing
up to 30 kilowatts of electricity per hour.
The wind farms, however, have stayed
silent.
Head of Nusa Penida
district Wayan Sumarta
acknowledged that the seven wind plants have never been operational.
He said he regrets their failure, lamenting the fact that the plants cost
billions of rupiah to construct and had not lived up the high
hopes locals had for them as an alternative source of energy.
"It is truly regrettable that a
major project like this was not been managed appropriately. Now, they are
nothing more than monuments. We expect the government to pay serious attention
to them," he said.
Each wind turbine (see picture) cost a reported Rp 3.5 billion (US $325,000) to build and had a planned production capacity 80 kilowatts.
Contacted by phone, spokesperson of
the
"All of the plants operate
normally. If their turbines do not move, they are storing the energy. It
doesn't mean they are not functioning," he said.
PLN financed in part the construction of the plants and
is responsible for their operation and maintenance.--JP/Ni Komang Erviani
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2008/12/20/wind-turbines-fail-generate-power.html