PLN And These 3 Companies Sign LOI For The Development Of Dieselization

Photo: Doc. PLN

PT PLN (Persero) cooperates with three energy companies, namely ib volat GmbH from Germany, PT Indika Energy Utama Tbk. and Infraco Asia Development Pte., Ltd in encouraging dedieselisas as stated in the signing of Letter of Intent (LOI) by parties in Jakarta.

Dalam kesepakatan, program ini akan dibagikan ke dalam dua klaster, yaitu kolaborasi PLN Nusantara Power dan ib volgt GmbH dalam mendorong dedieselisasi di klaster pertama yang meliputi wilayah Indonesia bagian Barat. Sedangkan kolaborasi PLN Indonesia Power, PT Indika Energy Utama Tbk dan Infraco Asia Development Pte.,Ltd. bersama-sama akan mendorong dedieselisasi di klaster kedua yang meliputi wilayah Indonesia bagian Timur.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo said that this dedieselization program is in line with efforts to maintain national energy independence. Namely by continuing to suppress our dependence on imported fuel-based fuel, replacing it with renewable energy from domestic, which is also more environmentally friendly.

"Through the dedieselization program, he said, the Diesel Power Plant (PLTD), which previously served the needs of the people in isolated areas, will gradually be shifted hybridly using new and renewable energy (EBT) from Solar Power Plants (PLTS)," Darmawan said as quoted on Saturday, December 23.

Darmawan said that currently PLN has approximately 5,200 PLTD spread over around 2,100 locations. With dedieselization, he hopes that the large cost and carbon emissions from the PLTD operations will be maximized.

In the long term, the dedieselization program is expected not only to save the earth from the threat of climate change, but also to encourage the economic growth of the community through the provision of reliable, cheap and environmentally friendly electricity.

"Through this collaboration, we will replace the diesel engine with solar energy equipped with a capable storage system," added Darmawan.

PLN's Director of Project Management and EBT Wiluyo Kusdwiharto added that the PLTD dedieselization program is estimated to be able to reduce fuel consumption to Rp722.1 billion and reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 132 thousand tons per year.

"The two clusters that we initiated at LOI today will help Indonesia increase the EBT mix in the electricity sector massively. The potential reaches 171 Gigawatt hour (GWh) per year and is able to turn on 24 hours non-stop for the latest technology we use," said Wiluyo.

Wiluyo revealed that there are many challenges in the field to work on dedieseliation programs. But for the collaboration he is optimistic that this program will be able to increase the 24-hour non-stop electricity supply for isolated areas.

"Dedieselization of the EBT conversion uses the concept of the largest fuel savings," explained Wiluyo.

Asia Pacific ib vogt GmbH Managing Director David Ludwig said that his party appreciated PLN for including its company in this dedieselization program. He admitted that this program has considerable challenges, considering that dozens of programs will be carried out on isolated islands.

"We believe this project will not only replace PLTD in these areas, but also be able to provide a more reliable and sustainable electricity supply at affordable prices for the community. We believe this program will really improve the welfare of remote communities in the future," said David.

Meanwhile, the President Director of PT Empat Mitra Indika Tenaga Surya, Yovie Priadi, who represented the Consortium of PT Indika Energy Tbk and Infraco Asia Development Pte., Ltd. said that his party continues to take the initiative to build EBT projects in the country to help the government achieve the net zero emissions (NZE) target in 2060. Therefore, PLN's trust in the dedieselization program in the eastern Indonesian cluster was very welcome.

"We hope to support further dedieselization programs in the future. Here we will design, build and operate battery hybrid solar PLTS in locations spread across Eastern Indonesia," concluded Yovie.