Indonesia will keep seeing high demand for skilled workers particularly in the water and power sector given the numerous infrastructure projects in development across the country, according to an energy and engineering consultant.



'We believe Indonesia needs solutions in management and implementation [especially] in large, complex infrastructure projects. With the economic growth that's going on, we see a lot of opportunities coming,' James H. Schnieders, president director of engineering, consulting and construction firm Black & Veatch, said on Thursday.



The US-based company is working with state-owned electricity company PT PLN to provide 2,500 megawatts (MW) of electric power in the country through multiple projects within the next few years.



'Obviously, Indonesia represents 30 percent of our market focus outside the US and I think it's a robust market [...] maybe a bit more bullish in the next few years.



For the projects that we are working on, from services project with PLN and some private entities, we are looking forward to successful conclusion in one of those projects this year,' he said.



'We have one that will kick off next month with PLN more on the services role, and then we have some EPC [engineering, procurement and construction] roles in another project that will kick off here in the third quarter.'



Schnieders, however, said that the Indonesian government needed to ensure the equality in risk balance and make sure that both the government and private investors delivered on what they needed to do in realizing the projects, especially within the public-private partnerships (PPP) program.



'I think equality in risk balance and making sure the government and private investors deliver on what they need to do to realize the projects is important because they really depend on each other, especially concerning the land acquisition issue,' he said.



If they're not working together then they will hit road blocks, he added.



Schnieders said that the upcoming legislative and presidential elections would further boost the excitement for investors to come to Indonesia.



'We see more and more leaders making a commitment [to develop the country]. It's exciting to see that Indonesia will have a voice.'



Over the past 40 years, Black & Veatch has contributed to developing almost 15,000 MW of installed capacity throughout the country.



The company is also involved in several water businesses including planning and programming of water resource management, design and construction supervision of irrigation and drainage facilities including canals and other hydraulics.

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