Java, Indonesia – Indonesia’s state-owned utility Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) has successfully completed the reconductoring of its 500 kV Suralaya Lama to Cilegon transmission line, marking another important milestone in the nation’s ongoing effort to strengthen grid reliability and meet growing regional power demand.
The project involved replacing existing conductors on a 10.862-kilometer double-circuit line with Amsterdam size ACCC® Conductors manufactured by PT. Karya Mega Sarana (KAMESA) under license from CTC Global. In total, 288 kilometers of conductor were delivered for the project. Engineered and managed by PT. PLN PUSMANPRO, and installed by PT. Centra Multi Elektrindo, the reconductoring was completed efficiently using two coordinated stringing teams – each circuit completed in roughly five weeks.
The quad-bundled 500 kV line, supported by steel lattice towers with average spans of 375 meters and a maximum span of 703 meters, was completed under varied but manageable terrain conditions. ACCC Hardware was supplied by Preformed Line Products (PLP), and installation utilized OMAC equipment. Certified CTC Global Master Installers from Dinamika – Yaniar Nur Ihsan Pratama, Rio Wicandaru Pratama, Peri Pebriyanto, and Susanto – provided on-site support, along with KAMESA’s certified supervisors, ensuring compliance with CTC Global’s installation standards.
The primary objective of this project was to upgrade and modernize an existing transmission corridor to enhance efficiency and increase power transfer capacity between the Suralaya and Cilegon substations – two critical nodes within Java’s 500 kV network that serve major industrial and metropolitan load centers.
What makes this project especially significant is PLN’s application of ACCC® Conductor technology on a 500 kV line, one of the highest transmission voltage levels in operation anywhere in the world. The use of ACCC® Conductor at this voltage demonstrates growing confidence in advanced composite core technology to meet the demanding mechanical, electrical, and thermal requirements of extra-high voltage (EHV) systems. Unlike conventional ACSR or ACSS conductors, ACCC® Conductor’s high-strength, low-sag composite core allows it to operate at higher temperatures with minimal thermal expansion – enabling greater current flow, improved reliability, and reduced line losses even under heavy loading conditions. These benefits translate directly into greater grid efficiency, reduced emissions, and increased energy delivery capacity without requiring new structures or expanded rights-of-way.
By selecting Amsterdam size ACCC® Conductors, PLN achieved a substantial improvement in line performance while ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure – an important advantage for large-scale transmission upgrades across Java’s densely developed corridor. This project underscores PLN’s commitment to adopting advanced transmission technologies that enhance system reliability, support renewable integration, and advance Indonesia’s broader energy transition goals.
