Indonesia’s PT Krakatau Steel expects demand for steel for electric pylons to reach around 798,000 tonnes in the next four years because of increasing investment in electricity infrastructure. The steelmaker recently delivered a first shipment of angles to the state electricity company Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), Kallanish notes.

PLN has nominated ten manufacturers to produce the pylons, to which Krakatau will deliver the remaining angles. The contract is for 60,000t over six months from November.

Indonesia reportedly plans to build around 10,000 70-500KV pylons per year. Over November 2016-November 2017 the number will be 9,085 towers needing around 100,000t of angles. Up to 10,000t of plate will also be needed, according to Krakatau Steel president Sukandar.

Krakatau can produce around 150,000 t/y of angles at its Krakatau Wajatam subsidiary. It can also produce 500,000 t/y of sections and rebar at its Krakatau Osaka Steel joint venture, dominating Indonesia’s 940,000 t/y sections capacity.