PLN Targets To Optimize Renewable Energy Up To 35 Percent By 2034
PT PLN (Persero) targets optimization of renewable energy by 35 percent by 2034 and the portion of PLTU will be reduced from 60 percent to 45 percent.
This was conveyed by PLN's Director of Transmission and System Planning Evy Haryadi in the discussion "Electricity to Support 8 Percent Economic Growth" in Indonesia Policy Dialogue, Jakarta, Wednesday, December 11. According to him, currently PLN's renewable energy power generation reaches 13 percent.
Therefore, an increase in capacity is needed to ensure the need and resilience of energy to encourage economic growth of up to 8 percent per year.
"Currently, three things are needed, namely how to achieve net zero emissions, carry out the president's mandate for energy security, and how to ensure affordability for electricity costs," said Evy, quoted from Antara.
Evy said that PLN plans to develop geothermal power plants and hydroelectric power plants (PLTA).
However, because these two energies require development in the long term, medium-term plans are needed through the construction of a gas power plant (PLTG).
According to Evy, PLTG will be adjusted to renewable energy targets, while reinforced by fast-paced plants such as solar power plants (PLTS). PLN is also conducting tenders for gasification of fuel or diesel power plants.
"We are also completing several PLTS developments in Singkarak (West Sumatra) and Saguling (West Java) of 60 megawatts (MW) and Karajates (East Java) of 100MW," said Evy.
Meanwhile, for the long-term development of hydropower and transmission systems, Evy explained, PLN is looking for potential long-tensored funding cooperation with low cost of funds, as well as the use of commercial funds.
The Coordinator of Electricity Generation Planning of the Directorate General of Electricity, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Pramudya, said that the government is also adjusting the long-term plan of the National Electricity General Plan (RUKN) for the energy transition. Currently, RUKN is in the discussion process at the House of Representatives (DPR).
"To achieve net zero emissions, in the future we need a generator of 443 gigawatts (GW) in 2030, the majority of renewable energy," said Pramudya.
This cannot be separated from the energy need to support the industrial sector, especially the downstream policy launched by the government to achieve the 8 percent economic growth target. According to Pramudya, downstreaming also supports the energy transition process.
"The Hilirization of nickel products is a battery that supports the development of Variable Energy such as PLTS and PLTB which requires electricity storage in batteries," said Pramudya.
According to him, the energy transition plan has been discussed since 2021. The government and stakeholders have also discussed how to reduce the portion of fossil energy such as coal while increasing the capacity of renewable energy.
Chairman of the Association of Indonesian Private Electricity Producers Arthur Simatupang supports the government and PLN's steps. He said the market demand for renewable energy supply was getting bigger.
"There are several global companies that are members of the RE100 specifically asking me to provide premium rates, but guaranteeing 100 percent of electricity supply from renewable energy," he said.
In addition, Arthur also sees the development of renewable energy utilizing Indonesia's great potential, becoming an investment opportunity, and creating jobs.