Affected Farmers by Batang Power Plant Get Social Compensation
Commitment to the affected farmers for solutions to their livelihoods is continuously given by PT Bhimasena Power Indonesia (BPI) by giving social compensation to more than 700 affected farmers, today (28/4) at Kandeman District Office, Batang, Central Java. This activity has been conducted for the eighth time and is expected to last until January 2017.
Social compensation is expected to be a temporary solution alternative for affected farmers. "For a long-term solution, we're setting up a replacement land," said Mohammad Effendi, President Director of BPI. Furthermore, he hopes people could get greater benefit with the presence of the power plant. "We would also absorb the local labor and supporting new economic centers to support the activities of the power plant," said Effendi further.
Effendi added, to support the construction and operation of the power plant, will also be constructed a jetty for temporary harbour while unloading construction equipment and unloading coal. "The construction of the jetty has been planned from the beginning, as it has been agreed with PLN and is listed in the PPA, as well as the Government of the Province and included in the Environmental Permit," said Effendi. According to Effendi, people do not have to worry about environmental issues for the development of the jetty will be adapted to local environmental conditions that will minimize environmental impact, or interfere with the activity of the surrounding community who work as fishermen. "We are committed to maintaining the ecosystem and the environment surrounding the project, so the existence of the power plant is not harmful to society," said Effendi.
Effendi considered that the process of building the power plant has so far run smoothly with government support. "We are grateful for the support of the government so that the development process can run smoothly. We are also committed with the government to immediately complete the construction of the power plant so that it can operate and be a solution to the national electricity needs, "said Effendi.
Related with the construction process, the power plant with a capacity of 2 x 1,000 MW will be completed in 2020 and will contribute to the national electricity supply where needs continue to rise 8% annually. For the long term, it is expected the presence of the power plant can generate more business climate in Batang and surrounding areas.