PEKANBARU: Due to drought plagued Riau since the last few months, the level of water reservoir at Kotopanjang, Kampar Regency, has decreased significantly. If the rain is still not fall, the water level will also continue to decline.
Currently the decline could reach 2-3 inches every day. The decline could be seen with the advent of wooden stumps in the middle of the reservoir which proves that the water reservoir condition had very decreased.
General Manager of PLN PT in Riau area and Riau Islands (WRKR) Dodi Benjamin Pangaribuan in his statement to reporters on Monday (3/3) at Pekanbaru said that on the last January Kotopanjang reservoir water level was at 80 feet. Then in early February fell to 79.8 meters.
This decreasing will continue to happen if the rain is still not for in the coming days, and would be very influential in the operation of existing power turbines in this hydro power plant (PLTA). "Kita tentunya sangat berharap hujan akan turun dan menaikan kembali elevasi air di waduk PLTA Kotopanjang ini," he said.
He said that if the rain still does not fall and the reservoir water elevation continues to decline until it reaches 72 meters, then PLN will stop operating hydroelectric power plants in Kotopanjang. If it imposed, it might result damage to the engine of power plants here.
Dodi said that with the decreasing of reservoir water elevation of Kotopanjang PLTA he wished the Ombilin PLTU refinement will be completed soon in order to support electricity production when the PLTA of Kotopanjang not operate. (rgi/mad)
