PLN EPI Develops Karimun Biomass Gasification as a National Dedieselisasi Pilot Project

JAKARTA - PT PLN Energi Primer Indonesia (PLN EPI) has signed a memorandum of understanding with PT Karimun Power Plant (KPP) for the development of biomass-based syngas gasification business.

PLN EPI Biomass Director, Hokkop Situngkir, said that this MoU is intended to encourage the development of biomass gasification as a solution to accelerate the de-dieselisation program, especially in remote areas that have not been reached by the interconnected electricity network.

"The potential of national biomass reaches around 80 million tons, but only 20 million tons are used. This means that there are still great opportunities that can be optimized to support national energy security," said Hokkop, Wednesday, April 8.

He explained that the development of biomass is not only focused on co-firing at PLTU, but can be developed into a new path through syngas based on biomass gasification which is more flexible to be used in diesel power plants (PLTD) and isolated systems.

"Biomass gasification is a concrete solution for isolated areas that are still dependent on solar. With this approach, we can reduce energy costs while reducing emissions," he added.

According to Hokkop, the limitations of the design of the PLTU and the readiness of infrastructure are challenges in the absorption of biomass through cofiring, so diversifying utilization is a strategic step.

"Therefore, we are opening a new branch through biomass gasification. This is not only a technical option, but also a more adaptive business solution to meet energy needs in remote areas," he said.

As an initial stage, PLN EPI partnered with PT KPP to develop a pilot project in Karimun. Currently, the facility has a biomass capacity of 1 Megawatt (MW) and has the potential to be increased to 2-5 MW.

Director of PT Karimun Power Plant, Arthur Palupessy, said his party had more than 25 years of experience in managing diesel-based plants. However, the main challenge in the transition to biomass lies in the certainty of prices and raw material supply.

"We are used to diesel systems that have clear cost standards. The challenge in biomass is to ensure that prices and supplies remain stable so that operations remain feasible," said Arthur.

He added that the biomass requirement for a 1 MW plant can reach around 35 tons per day, so a long-term integrated supply chain scheme is needed.

"If the supply and price can be maintained stable, then biomass gasification will be a very competitive solution compared to diesel," he explained.

Through this cooperation, PLN EPI will play a role as an aggregator and developer of a biomass ecosystem, ranging from mapping raw material sources, construction of production facilities, to the provision of gasification technology and syngas distribution.

In addition to producing energy, this project also has the potential to produce derivative products such as biochar which has economic value.

In the future, PLN EPI targets this model can be replicated in around 200 PLTD locations throughout Indonesia as part of a strategy to reduce solar consumption and accelerate the national energy transition.