PT PLN Nusa Daya, part of the PLN Group, began operating the first 20 MW stage of the Sidera diesel power plant in Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi, on October 17, 2026. The plant adds supply to the Sulawesi electricity system and was built quickly because, according to the company, Central Sulawesi’s power supply had reached a vulnerable point.
Key Facts At A Glance
- PT PLN Nusa Daya began operating the 20 MW first stage of the Sidera diesel power plant in Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi, on October 17, 2026.
- The first stage uses two 10 MW generating clusters with 12 engines and 12 transformers of 2,500 kVA each.
- The company said work from land clearing to operation took about 28 days.
- Under the project roadmap, cluster 3 (15 MW) is scheduled for November 10, 2026 and cluster 4 (15 MW) for November 30, 2026.
- PLN Nusa Daya has prepared 160 kiloliters of B50 fuel for staged operation.
- The project employed about 85 local workers.
- PLN Nusa Daya earlier described Sidera as a 50 MW temporary plant, partly to prepare for potential El Niño effects.
PT PLN Nusa Daya began operating the first stage of the Sidera diesel power plant (PLTD Sidera) in Sigi Regency, Central Sulawesi, on October 17, 2026. The stage has a capacity of 20 MW and is intended to strengthen supply and address weak points in the province’s electricity system.
Chaidar Syaifullah, Director of Operations and Business Development at PT PLN Nusa Daya, said construction was accelerated because the electricity situation had been at a vulnerable point. He said the work, from land clearing through to operation, was completed in about 28 days. According to Chaidar, the plant adds supply to the Sulawesi system and benefits PLN customers, especially in Central Sulawesi.
Plant Configuration And Schedule
The first stage uses two 10 MW generating clusters with a combined 12 engines and 12 transformers rated at 2,500 kVA each. Under the project roadmap, capacity will be added through cluster 3, rated at 15 MW and scheduled to begin operating on November 10, 2026, and cluster 4, also 15 MW, scheduled for November 30, 2026.
Chaidar said 160 kiloliters of B50 fuel had been prepared to keep the plant running through its staged operation. About 85 local workers were employed on the project, in land clearing, welding and construction, and machine operation.
Project Background
PLN Nusa Daya had earlier described Sidera as a 50 MW temporary power plant, built to meet rising electricity demand, keep supply adequate, and prepare for potential El Niño effects. During a site visit reported in early September 2026, PLN Director of Generation Management Rizal Calvary Marimbo said the work needed to be fast while maintaining safety, quality, and schedule. At that time, PLN Nusa Daya said it was targeting commercial operation in October 2026.
Public reporting has not given the project’s cost, the expected period of temporary operation, or the current supply and demand figures for the Central Sulawesi system. Coverage of the October 17 start remains limited to a single news agency report.