Bahlil: Cleaner Coal Management Is A Cheap Energy Option

JAKARTA - Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia said cleaner coal management could be an option for cheap but environmentally friendly energy.

"I made a formulation with the PLN team so that we don't think that coal is dirty, now we have to think about clean coal by capturing carbon CO2 to be included in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)," Bahlil said as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 11.

CCS is a technology to capture and store carbon dioxide (CO2) from coal burning. This technology can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to fighting climate change.

Bahlil assessed that the use of cleaner coal with this technology is also relatively cheaper and is one of the clean technologies that can bridge the transition period to alternative and renewable energy.

"After being calculated, the cost (to produce) 1 kwh of coal is only 5 to 6 cents (US dollars). Meanwhile, if you use (options) for renewable energy (others) it can be 9 to 11 cents (US dollars)," said Bahlil.

Furthermore, Bahlil assessed that coal rose again as an energy option after US President Donald Trump withdrew from the Paris Agreement climate commitment some time ago.

Trump's rise as US president changed the world map related to energy design. The green energy-oriented industry is to produce clean products, so it changes. We think coal is about to be finished, eh, live again," said Bahlil.

"(Indonesia) Still needs adjustments (to get to green and renewable energy)," he added.

However, Bahlil said, he continued to encourage new energy as the most important part of the implementation of the 2060 zero emission consensus and the Asta Cita Presiden RI Prabowo Subianto with an approach that he values can be made by Indonesia at this time.

"I prefer to stay committed to clean energy with coal blends, gas and other new energy, but the community is not sacrificed at an expensive price and the state is also not burdened with subsidies," said Bahlil.