• PLN is preparing the Molibagu–Gorontalo Baru/Botupingge and Tutuyan–Molibagu 150kV lines alongside a planned Marisa–Moutong interconnection
  • The 30MVA Marisa 150kV substation extension is reported at 100% completion, while dates for the wider transmission works remain undisclosed

The fact

The Gorontalo provincial government said on 3 September that PLN is preparing new 150kV transmission projects in and around the province. They include the Molibagu–Gorontalo Baru/Botupingge and Tutuyan–Molibagu overhead lines, alongside a planned Central Sulawesi–Gorontalo interconnection through Marisa–Moutong. The projects were discussed during a 2 September meeting between Governor Gusnar Ismail and PLN's Sulawesi development unit.

The province also said the 30MVA extension of the 150kV Marisa substation had reached 100% completion. It linked the wider electricity programme to planned industrial demand, including PT Gorontalo Mineral, which it said is due to begin production in early 2027. The report did not give construction start dates or energisation dates for the transmission lines or the Marisa–Moutong interconnection.

The assessment

The Marisa substation extension may be complete, but the transmission network around it is not. That means one part of the system is ready before the lines needed to move power across the planned regional connection have been completed and energised.

The timing matters because the province is also preparing for new industrial demand. PT Gorontalo Mineral is expected to begin production in early 2027, but the report does not say whether the new transmission sections will be operating by then or whether the Marisa extension will directly serve the project.

For BTW readers, completion of the substation is therefore only one step. What matters for new industrial loads is when the full connection serving them is energised and able to carry power.

What to watch

Watch for construction and commissioning dates for the Molibagu–Gorontalo Baru/Botupingge and Tutuyan–Molibagu lines, together with an energisation date for Marisa–Moutong. Project-specific connection dates for the industrial loads cited by the province would show whether transmission delivery matches their operating schedules.