Bukit Asam Builds Wood Pellet Pilot To Develop Biomass

Illustration (Photo: Doc Antara)

JAKARTA - PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) launched Pilot Plant or pilot factory Wood Pellet from Kaliandra Merah in Tanjung Enim, South Sumatra.

The development of Wood Pellet, a coal mixture (cofiring) fuel at Steam Power Plant (PLTU).

This activity is a continuation of the Kalianda Merah cultivation program for biomass which has started by PTBA in 2023.

Currently, the production capacity capable of being generated from Pilot Plant is 200 kg per hour.

Director of Engineering and the Minerba Environment of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Hendra Gunawan appreciated PTBA for providing examples of strategic initiatives in carbon management efforts and reducing emissions.

"With the launch of the Pilot Plant Wood Pellet belonging to Bukit Asam, we hope to inspire more parties, especially in the mineral and coal sub-sectors to innovate in the use of environmentally friendly energy. Hopefully, the Pilot of the Wood Pellet Plant owned by Bukit Asam can run well and sustainably in the future," said Hendra Gunawan in a statement to the media, Monday, October 28.

PTBA President Director Arsal Ismail said his party was committed to supporting the energy transition to achieve the Net Zero Emission target by 2060 set by the Government.

One of his efforts is the development of Wood Pellet from Kaliandra Merah.

"We have a vision to become a world-class energy company that cares about the environment. PTBA continues to transform to achieve this vision in an effort to provide continuous energy for the country. Wood Pellet from Kaliandra Merah is expected to be an alternative energy source that is environmentally friendly," said Arsal Ismail.

He added that the construction of the Wood Pellet factory is also a form of PTBA's commitment to supporting decarbonization in the mining industry.

"This step is expected to contribute to reducing carbon emissions in the mining sector through mixing biomass and coal," said Arsal.

The construction of the Pilot Plant, which focuses on renewable energy innovation, is the result of collaboration between PTBA and the Veterans National Development University (UPN) Yogyakarta.

The launch of Plant Pilot Wood Pellet was also attended by Dr. Sutarto, MT., Deputy Chancellor of UPN Veteran Yogyakarta; Dr. Eko Amiadji Julianto, MP., Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture UPN Veterans Yogyakarta; and Dr. Joko Susilo, MT., Chair of the UPN Veterans Yogyakarta Energy and Mineral Study Center (PSME).