South Sumatra 8 PLTU Enters Operational Trial Stage

Illustration of the South Sumatra 8 PLTU. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Steam Power Plant (PLTU) Mouth Tambang Sumsel-8 resulting from a strategic collaboration between PT Bukit Asam Tbk and China Huadian Hong Kong Company Ltd (CHDHK) has entered the stage of testing operations.

The generator, also known as the Tanjung Lalang PLTU, was built by PT Huadian Bukit Asam Power (HBAP).

On May 7, 2023, the distribution of electricity (Energize) for electricity bait from PLN (Backfeeding Power) from the 275 kV Lumut Balai-Muara Enim route to the Tanjung Lalang PLTU was successfully carried out, followed by a commissioning test for all machines/equipment before entering the operational stage.

"The success of this Backfeeding stage is very important to carry out the clean reliable capacity test process (NDC Test) which is sought to be completed in July 2023 for the first unit generator," said President Director of PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA), Arsal Ismail to the media, Wednesday, May 10.

Just so you know, the South Sumatra-8 PLTU is part of the 35,000 MW Power Plant Development Program. This plant uses efficient and environmentally friendly super critical technology.

In addition, the South Sumatra-8 PLTU also applies desulfurization gas (FGD) flue technology to reduce exhaust emissions.

This FGD technology can reduce sulfur dioxide from emission from the exhaust of coal-fueled power plants.

"PLTU is expected to achieve a Commercial Operation Date (COD) status in September 2023," said Arsal.

The investment value of the South Sumatra-8 PLTU project reached 1.68 billion US dollars.

The Amendment to the Electricity Sales and Purchase Agreement (PPA) and Coal Supply Agreement (CSA) for the PLTU project with a capacity of 2x660 Megawatts (MW) has been signed by PLN and PTBA together with HBAP.

If it is fully operational, the Tanjung Lalang PLTU can absorb the results of PTBA's coal production of more than 5 million tons per year.