KESDM Disbursed Alternatives To Coal Use In The Energy Transition Era

Coal illustration (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The government continues to intensify the use of clean energy in order to achieve net zero emission in 2060. Although it will use new and renewable energy (EBT), the government does not immediately leave fossil-based energy, one of which is coal.

Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Dadan Kusdiana revealed that Indonesia is one of the countries with large coal raw power plants.

So that with the determination of the NZE target, it does not necessarily eliminate coal as one of the national main power plants in the near future. At least, it will take until 2057 in accordance with the roadmap to NZE initiated by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, while in parallel, the government strengthens the basis for using EBT to support national energy. Because the government is also obliged to ensure the availability of energy to the community.

"The PLTU contract ranges from 25 to 30 years, so from the simulations we carried out at NZE, our peak uses coal between 2030 and 2035, after which it will be sloping in line with the Steam Power Plant (PLTU) which has completed the contract period," said Dadan, quoted Monday, December 4.

To supply energy needs to the community when the use of coal begins to slow down, Dadan said that the government will develop and provide cleaner energy from EBT. Therefore, coal that is not used for raw materials for power plants can be used in the form that has been processed and greener through the downstream process.

"We have to lead to a green product, we have to create a green industry here, because it will be seen in terms of the process how to produce this product," he said.

Dadan explained that coal products can be converted into Dimethyl Ether (DME) through a gasification process, which will be used as a substitute for Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), with existing consumers.

"Before becoming a DME, it could also become methanol. This methanol is widely used in industries, we can use methanol, but on condition that later the process must be clean, there is no emission, become a green product," he added.

With green products, Dadan said it would be easy to export abroad, because other countries, especially Europe, will see in terms of the process how to produce an item. This makes green industry and green product a competitive commodity in the international market.

"For example, exports to Europe will take effect in 2026 if I'm not mistaken, later they will ask how the production will be, to find out how much carbon is, so if they exceed the limit, they will apply a carbon tax on these products," concluded Dadan.