The Waste-powered Power Plant (PLTSa) located in Solo, Central Java is targeted to be completed and operational in October 2023. However, the project is hampered by problems with the Certification of Operational Worthy Certification (Sertifikat Layak Operasi – SLO).
Environmentally friendly generator worth US$ 23 million
This waste power plant does not use a combustion system, so it does not produce emissions. Meanwhile, the processing of waste is carried out by a chemical process to produce electricity.
PLTSa should have been fully operational by the end of 2022. However, a number of rules in the process of buying and selling electricity concerning the SLO certificate must be issued before selling it. The SLO issuance process has been underway since the end of 2022 and will be completed in 2023.
Moeldoko, Head of the Presidential Staff (KSP) said that the PLTSa, named ‘Putri Cempo’, is 97.5% ready. However, there needs to be synchronization in order to touch 100%. He said he would finish the last 2.5% as soon as possible.
“This review of PLTSa Putri Cempo is in the framework of KSP’s supervisory duties on the national strategic program (PSN),” said Moeldoko, on July 15, 2023.
Initially, construction had been going on since 2019 in collaboration with PT Solo Citra Metro Plasma Power (SCMPP) as the executor and manager.
In the first phase, PLTSa construction has an investment value of US$ 23 million (IDR 325 billion).
Problems to be solved
Currently, the PLTSa is considered ready to operate and has already produced electricity from waste. However, there are still a number of problems.
First, the PLTSa has not passed the certification test for proper operation due to technical problems. Currently, the government is discussing SLO with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
Moeldoko said the SLO issue had to be resolved immediately because it involved investors that needed to sell electricity, and SLO certification is needed in order for them to be able to sell.