The collaboration between PT PLN and PT PAL Indonesia has succeeded in building a modern Mobile Power Plant (MPP). The synergy of both companies has become a revolutionary milestone in the development of a mobile power plant in the form of a Barge Mounted Power Plant (BMPP). The first phase of the BMPP, which was developed by PLN through its subsidiary, PT Indonesia Power in synergy with PT PAL, is named ‘BMPP Nusantara 1’. The mobile power plant with a capacity of 60 MW has been completed and will soon be heading to Ambon, Maluku. President Director of PT PLN, Darmawan Prasodjo said that specifically in eastern Indonesia, the existence of the Barge Mounted Power Plant type is a solution to meet the electricity needs in the remote areas across Indonesia.
The BMPP Nusantara 1 uses the first dual-fuel diesel engine technology in Indonesia. Nusantara 1 can supply 60MW of electricity from the solar panels above it. As a floating power plant, BMPP is built using robust and proven design materials, and it has the flexibility to operate with different fuels, both diesel B30 and gas, without the need to turn off the generator. This is a solution to the availability of fuel in certain areas. With its compact dimensions and low water load for the size of a barge, the BMPP Nusantara 1 is claimed to be able to operate in shallow waters and remote areas as well as being mobile so that it can be an electrification solution in case of a natural disaster.
After the Barge Mounted Power Plant (BMPP) Nusantara 1 has been produced, it will be followed by two other BMPPs which have a larger accumulation of electrical power with a total capacity of 150 MW. Operations and maintenance are also fully carried out by PT Indonesia Power so that there is no longer dependence on electricity supply from outside parties. In the future, BMPP is expected to be able to meet the needs or replace floating power plants not only in Ambon or Maluku but also in several other regions across Indonesia.