State power utility PT PLN renews its commitment to support the Net Zero Emissions target in 2060 by implementing Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) technology and Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage (CCUS) on operational power plants.
This measure has begun at the Suralaya Steam Power Plant (PLTU) in Cilegon, Banten, making it one of the CCS pilot projects in Indonesia.
PLN Corporate Secretary, Alois Wisnuhardana, said that the CCS technology used in Suralaya PLTU had exceeded the feasibility study stage.
“The implementation of CCS technology in Suralaya PLTU has been operational, no longer in the phase of feasibility study,” Wisnu told Indonesia Business Post on Wednesday, January 8, 2025.
He cited that CCS is an efficient solution to suppress carbon emissions, although it requires large investment. This technology will be implemented in stages with the target capacity of 2 GW in 2040 and 19 GW in 2060.
Director of PLN Indonesia Power, Edwin Nugraha Putra, added that this effort was part of the PLN strategy to support the government’s 8-percent economic growth target, while ensuring the energy transition runs smoothly.
“PLN not only focuses on new renewable energy-based plants, but also optimizes existing power plants to operate with lower emissions,” Edwin said as quoted in a statement on December 5, 2024.
As part of a long-term strategy, coal-fueled plants will be replaced by nuclear-based, hydro, and geothermal-based plants. Meanwhile, coal plants that are still operating will be equipped with CCS/CCUS technology to control carbon emissions.
CCS/CCUS works by separating and capturing carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) from the combustion process, then storing it in certain locations, such as saline aquifer. Carbon storage capacity in Saline Aquifer in Indonesia is estimated to reach 572 Gigaton CO2.
PLN has also collaborated with various national and international partners to support the development of CCS/CCUS technology in five major plants, including: Suralaya PLTU Unit 1-4: Collaboration with Korean carbon Co., Ltd. Then, PLTU Suralaya Unit 5-7 with PT PLN Enjiniring and LAPI ITB. PLTU Indramayu with Jera Co., Inc. Japan and JGC Corporation Japan. PLTGU Tambak Lorok with Jera Co., Inc. Japan and JGC Corporation Japan, and Tanjung Jati B PLTU with Inpex Corporation Japan.
“Collaboration is very important considering the complexity of CCS/CCUS technology. We also hope that the domestic industry can develop to sustain this technological needs,” Edwin said.
