PT Bukit Asam (PTBA), a member of the MIND ID Group in the coal mining sector, continues to drive its business processes through technological innovation in the use of renewable energy.
MIND ID Corporate Secretary, Heri Yusuf, said this effort was reflected in the company’s efforts to increase land productivity through irrigation-based solar power. This initiative also falls under the category of technological innovation in energy saving/renewable energy use at the Indonesia Green Awards (IGA) 2024.
“As part of the MIND ID Group, this recognition drives Bukit Asam to continue making breakthroughs in environmental sustainability efforts,” he said on Saturday, January 27, 2024.
PTBA has built six irrigation-based solar power plants (PLTS) with a total capacity of 192 Kilowatt peak (kWp), located in Muara Enim, Lahat, Lampung, and West Sumatra. Furthermore, these irrigation-based PLTS are constructed in Karang Raja Village, Muara Enim sub-district, Muara Enim Regency, South Sumatra. The other five irrigation-based PLTS are located in Talawi Mudik (Sawahlunto, West Sumatra), Trimulyo (Pesawaran, Lampung), Tanjung Raja (Muara Enim, South Sumatra), Nanjungan (Lahat, South Sumatra), and Rejosari Mataram (Central Lampung, Lampung).
Additionally, the company has built two solar power plants to reduce carbon emissions, namely the Bali Mandara Toll Road PLTS and the PLTS at the Airport Operation Control Center (AOCC) Building at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport. As a result, MIND ID has managed to reduce emissions by 618.5 tons of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) from January to October 2023. Furthermore, PTBA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Renewable Energy Development Synergy with other MIND ID Group member, PT Timah.
This is done as part of efforts for energy conservation, emission reduction, and sustainable development. “This step is taken to explore the potential for collaboration in developing PLTS in PT Timah’s operational areas,” said Heri.
Therefore, through its subsidiary PT Bukit Energi Investama (BEI), PTBA will build PLTS to support PT Timah’s operational activities. Furthermore, PTBA, through its Bauxite Mining Business Unit in West Kalimantan, has funded the installation of solar panels for lighting in Subah Village, Tayan Hilir sub-district, where the Lake Laet Tourism Village is located. The company also assists in the construction of PLTS in Sanggau Regency, West Kalimantan.
A total of 40 lights in the Village Health Post of Sebemban, Tayan Hilir District, and at the Nek Bindang Etang House, Toba District, have been installed as part of this electrification program. PT Antam has installed one PLTS package each. Moreover, PTBA continues to collaborate with Village-Owned Enterprises (BUMDes) in preserving the Endemic Merbau Plant (Intsia Palembanica) based on Community Empowerment. “The results are absorbed by the company for planting on reclaimed land. As of now, PT Bukit Asam has preserved the environment by planting 56,278 Intsia Palembanica trees,” said Heri.
The company also has other programs aimed at biodiversity development. PT Bukit Asam conducts biodiversity conservation in the work area of the South Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) and the Berbak and Sembilang National Parks. According to Heri, PTBA collaborates with relevant agencies to monitor the population and habitat conservation of migratory birds. “The company restores ecosystems through mangrove planting activities on 300 hectares of land on Alanggatang Island SPTN Region II Palembang,” he said.
Other MIND ID Group members also continue to support biodiversity preservation. Starting with PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), which continues to minimize plastic use in PTFI’s work areas. Furthermore, PT Antam also conducts biodiversity conservation for ecosystem habitats and flora-fauna surrounding the company’s operational areas. All Antam business units carry out this preservation in accordance with Environmental Management Plans and Environmental Monitoring Plans.
