Sintang, Heaptalk – PT PLN (Persero) through Indonesia PLN Subholding Power (PLN IP) succeeded in utilizing 100% biomass for alternative fuel for coal in Steam-Electric Power Station (PLTU) Sintang, West Kalimantan. It is one of the innovations in order to reduce carbon emissions in the PLN generating environment.
“We keep aggressively doing innovation to lessen the usage of fossil fuel and accelerate EBT. A transition energy is an inevitability. We are not doing this because of an international agreement, but also because we care and we want to ensure the future generations to have a better life than today’s generation,” explained the CEO of PLN, Darmawan Prasodjo, in a written release on Monday (19/12).
The CEO of PLN Indonesia Power, Edwin Nugraha Putra uttered, the usage of biomass in PLTU is the form of PLN IP consistency to support PLN in leading a transition energy in Indonesia. The capacity of 3×7 Megawatt (MW) of PLTU Sintang becomes the first and the longest PLTU operated in continuation using biomass fuel since 14 December 2023.
“Continuing the successful history of the 100% trial usage of biomass in January 2023, PLTU Sintang succeeded to become the first fossil generator capable of operating using 100% palm shell fuel and wood chips,” he said.
From the research of PLTU Sintang, calories contained in palm shells are 4,100 kcal/kg higher than coal calories that are 3,700 kcal/kg. Moreover, the biomass calories in palm shells and wood chips is still higher for 3,732 kcal/kg.
“It is planned that the Sintang PLTU will be fully operational using the biomass fuel continuously by looking for the availability of biomass,” added Edwin
He added that the challenge of using 100% biomass in PLTU is the availability of the energy itself. As an attempt to maintain biomass availability, PLN IP collaborates with the subholding PLN Primary Energy Indonesia (EPI) and local stakeholders.
Regent of Sintang Regency, Jarot Winarno, gives appreciation and full support to PLN Group’s attempt to utilize biomass as the generator fuel. This attempt is aligned with regional policy in Sintang Regent Regulation Number 82 of 2022 regarding the Use of Biomass as a Source of EBT.
“We really appreciate the effort that the PLN Group has done in order to lessen the amount of palm oil waste that’s being produced as electrical energy. The important thing is clean energy, a green energy that we maintain,” explained Winarno.
Head of the Sintang Regency Environmental Service, Edy Harmaini added, the implementation of co-firing biomass in PLTU Sintang really supports the circular economy around the PLTU area. He believed that this is a big step for energy transition.
“Hopefully this implementation can be used more widely in the West Kalimantan area in particular. For the sake of creating a clean environment, the evidence of blue skies, and the air free from pollution,” Harmaini concluded.
