DENPASAR ~ State electricity firm PLN is to build a thermal power plant with a combined capacity of 400 megawatts (MW) near Celukan Bawang port in Buleleng, aimed at anticipating power shortages, an official said.

The construction of the plant is scheduled for completion in two years, said Ngurah Adnyana, PLN’s Bali distribution manager.

The plant was expected to generate 130MW of electricity in the first phase of operation, he said.

“With the addition of the 400MW, power supplies in Bali in the next five to 10 years will be very safe, even though power demand will grow by more than seven percent per year,” he said.