PLN Nusantara Power Utilizes Corn Waste In Tuban For Co-firing PLTU

Workers dismantle biomass as a source of renewable energy through the cofiring process at the Nagan Raya PLTU, Aceh. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

JAKARTA - PLN Nusantara Power (PLN NP) through the Tanjung Awar-Awar Tuban Generation Unit (UP) utilizes agricultural waste in the form of corncobs and straws from local farmers to burn biomass co-firing.

President Director of PLN Nusantara Power, Ruly Firmansyah explained, Tuban Regency, known as one of the national corn centers, with production reaching more than 760,000 tons per year, produces millions of tons of agricultural waste every year.

So far, corn waste such as bonggol and straw is often burned directly by farmers, causing greenhouse gas emissions.

"Through this program, agricultural waste is no longer considered a burden, but is a source of renewable energy as well as increasing income for farmers," he said, Tuesday, September 23.

He explained that corn waste from farmers will be accommodated through the Cakrawala Nusantara Energy Cooperative (ECN) which is equipped with a Hammer Mill engine with a production capacity of 2 tons per hour. Through CSR support from PLN NP, this machine is able to process corn tackles into biomass with a production capacity of at least 8 tons per day. With this scheme, farmers can sell their corn waste to cooperatives and earn additional income.

"We are not only suppressing carbon emissions, but also creating added value for local farmers who have had difficulty managing their agricultural waste," continued Ruly.

Menurutnya, langkah strategis ini juga sejalan dengan kebijakan Permen ESDM No. 12 Tahun 2023 tentang pemanfaatan biomassa co-firing di PLTU, serta mendukung target bauran energi baru terbarukan (EBT) nasional.

"Dengan adanya kolaborasi bersama masyarakat, PLN NP berharap dapat menciptakan ekosistem energi hijau yang berkelanjutan sekaligus menjaga ketahanan energi di Indonesia," tandas Ruly.

According to him, this strategic step is also in line with the policy of the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources No. 12 of 2023 concerning the utilization of co-firing biomass at the PLTU, as well as supporting the national new energy mix (EBT) target.

"With collaboration with the community, PLN NP hopes to create a sustainable green energy ecosystem while maintaining energy security in Indonesia," said Ruly.