30 January 2003 - The World Bank is planning to build three micro-hydropower plants in Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua, said Indonesian power company PT PLN Wednesday. The projects aim to improve services to the local people and encourage development activities there.

A team of experts from the bank conducted a feasibility study on all water sources in the province recently, chief of state electricity company PT PLN's provincial office in Papua, Supriyanto, said. Based on the results of the study, they decided to build three micro-hydropower plants in Genyem (Jayapura district), Tatui (Yapen Waropen district) and Prafi (Manokwari district), he said. "We have received word from the World Bank that it will invest in the micro-hydropower plants. Hopefully, the bank will realise its loan commitment as soon as possible," he said.

He said the construction of the power plants would also encourage the development of other sectors, such as agriculture and fisheries.