State power utility PT PLN, through PLN Energi Primer Indonesia (PLN EPI), will increase the use of biomass co-firing in coal-fired power plants (PLTU) by means of waste to support environmental sustainability and also open up economic opportunities.
Mamit Setiawan, Corporate Secretary of PLN EPI, said that during 2024, PLN has distributed 1.65 million tons of biomass for co-firing and is targeting distribution to reach 3 million tons in 2025.
“In 2024, co-firing was implemented in 47 PLTUs, and will increase to 52 PLTUs in 2025,” Mamit said on Monday, December 23, 2024.
He said that the biomass that uses this waste comes from wood waste from the furniture industry, sawmills, plywood, and rubber plantation replanting waste.
PLN also utilizes agricultural waste, including rice husks, palm shells, coffee shells, empty oil palm bunches, rice husk pellets, wood chips, cassava stem powder, sugar cane bagasse, and palm sugar powder.
PLN EPI also uses solid waste or combustible fuel (BBJP) in a number of PLTUs as an alternative to coal.
“BBJP has been used in the Jeranjang and Lontar PLTUs, as well as in a mixture with sawdust in the Suralaya PLTU and trials in the Adipala PLTU,” Mamit said.
This step is part of PLN’s efforts to support the green energy transition and reduce dependence on coal.
By using co-firing, carbon emissions are expected to be reduced along with the use of more environmentally friendly energy sources.
PLN will also continue to collaborate with industry partners and local communities to supply biomass.
This collaboration supports environmental sustainability, and also opens up economic opportunities for the surrounding community, especially in the waste management and agriculture sectors.
