PT GEB And Its Role In Bali's Electricity Independence

JAKARTA - In 2018, the Governor of Bali, I Wayan Koster, expressed his desire for the Island of the Gods to be able to meet its electricity needs independently. In recent years, Bali has indeed developed in terms of energy. Bali's electricity needs are gradually being met. PT General Energy Bali (GEB) is the most contributing company.

"Bali wants to be energy independent, not dependent on buffer zones," said Regional Business Director for East Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara Supangkat Iwan Santoso during a discussion with the media at the Pesanggaran PLTDG, Denpasar, Bali, citing Kumparan.

This dream is very likely to be realized, especially if you look at the development of Bali's electricity capabilities in the past few years. The role of PT GEB cannot be separated from that. According to Djawanews' records, since its commercial operation on September 25, 2015, the Celukan Bawang PLTU built by PT GEB contributed 43 percent of Bali's total electricity needs.

Not only Bali. The Celukan Bawang PLTU, located in Gerokgak District, Buleleng Regency, also electrifies parts of Java Island through PLN transmission. In fact, before PT GEB started operating, Bali's electricity was very small.

“The net capacity of 380 megawatts is distributed to all interconnections. So, the electricity produced by the Celukan Bawang PLTU is also enjoyed by all electricity consumers in Java-Bali," said Director of Operations of PT GEB, Agus Darmadi, quoted by Era.id.

Now, the role of PT GEB is getting bigger. PLN Dispatch Coordinator PT GEB Helmy Rosadi explained that currently PT GEB's contribution has reached more than 50 percent. Apart from being a cheap energy source, the increase in contribution was also triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Now it's more because now the largest is in PLTU, cheap power plants. So we continue to optimize. Now it's more than 50 percent because the load level rises slowly during the pandemic," said Helmy, contacted by VOI, Wednesday, September 15.

Helmy further explained that PT GEB is still in the Bali Provincial Government's plan to realize electricity independence. Later, the electricity source from PT GEB will be collaborated with other power sources from environmentally friendly plants.

"This future need depends on PLN. Every year there is a RUPTL. There is a plan for each province. But regarding Bali, information from the local government is no longer available for coal. So green power plants use gas or solar panels.

"So maybe we are the only one. Our contract is 30 years unless there is an amendment with the government. There is also an interruption. We Celukan Bawang must be changed to gas as soon as possible. That can't be done. We have to comply with the PPA, the power purchase agreement."