Retired Mining For Environmental Care, PTBA Establishes PLTS To Reclamation Of Land

JAKARTA - PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) has a vision to become a world-class energy company that cares about the environment. To make it happen, PTBA is carrying out various steps so that it can provide energy without stopping for the country.

Corporate Secretary of PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA), Niko Chandra said, one of the steps taken is through the development of clean energy.

"So far, the company has built a PLTS with a maximum capacity of 241 kilowatt-peak (kWp) at the Airport Operation Control Center (AOCC) Building at Soekarno-Hatta Airport in collaboration with PT Angkasa Pura II (Persero), which has been fully operational since October 2020," he told the media, Tuesday, April 23.

Apart from Angkasa Pura II, PTBA is working with Jasa Marga Group for the development of PLTS on toll roads. PLTS with a capacity of 400 kWp on the Bali-Mandara Toll Road has been completed and inaugurated on September 21, 2022.

Niko said that a number of former PTBA mining lands were being explored for the development of solar power plants (PLTS).

"Exploration of cooperation with various parties has also been carried out. Among them are the development of PLTS to support the operations of PT Semen Padang and PT Timah Tbk," he continued.

Not only PLTS, Niko said that his party is also developing the Bayu Power Plant (PLTB) which is currently being explored with China Huadian Overseas Investment Co. Ltd. and Huadian Guangxi Energy Co. Ltd.

"We are ready to contribute so that the Net Zero Emission target in 2060 or sooner can be achieved. The company is committed to supporting the Government's policy of encouraging the transition to clean energy," explained Niko.

In operational activities, he continued, PTBA also implemented Good Mining Practice with decarbonization programs. Through the Eco Innovation program, the company planted endemic orchids, operated electric buses for employees, shortened the distance between coal transportation, Reduce, Reuse, Reuse (3R).

"PTBA also carries out critical land planting in the context of watershed rehabilitation, post-mining land reclamation, as well as mining equipment electrification programs such as buses and electric-based mining pumps," said Niko.

Social innovation is carried out by the company through the Eco Agrotomation Program. This program encourages environmentally friendly crop cultivation to support reforestation and reclamation programs.

"Thanks to this program, the community's economy is increasing and environmental sustainability is maintained," he said.

In collaboration with the Muara Enim Regency Government, PTBA since 2016 has launched the Tanjung Enim Tourism City Program. The goal is that Tanjung Enim, which is a coal mining area, can become a tourist destination and be independent in the future.

Various new tourist destinations have been built, such as the Coal Museum, Mini Zoo, Sriwijaya Park, to Waterpark. Tanjung Enim will also have a Botanical Garden built on post-mining land of approximately 17 hectares (ha).

"PTBA already has a carbon management roadmap of up to 2060. Decarbonization programs will continue to be implemented and developed in a sustainable manner in each company line to provide optimal results," concluded Niko.