Save fuel, PLN prepares retirement plan for 2,139 PLTDs

President Director of PT PLN (Persero) Darmawan Prasodjo. (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - PT PLN (Persero) revealed plans to retire 2,139 diesel power plants (PLTD) spread across 741 locations throughout Indonesia.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo said this plan aims to reduce the use of fuel oil (BBM) in the electricity sector, thereby reducing oil imports, which are now getting more expensive.

"PLN has planned to reduce fuel consumption in the electricity sector at 741 diesel power plant locations with a total of about 2,139 diesel engines," he said in a Public Hearing with Commission XII of the DPR, quoted Tuesday, April 14.

Darmo, a nickname for Darmawan, added that the retirement of thousands of PTLDs would be carried out gradually. Later, PLN will develop alternative energy in each location, such as the potential of pikohidro and microhydro as a substitute for PLTD.

Furthermore, Darmo added, if the source is not available, PLN will design and build a solar power plant equipped with an energy storage system or battery energy storage system (BESS).

"The point is that we are gradually in the fastest possible time with all our abilities, including partnerships with potential partners," he said.

With the rolling out of this plan, PLN also targets a reduction in the use of imported and high-cost energy-based energy such as fuel.

"Not only can energy security be improved, but also the cost of energy can be lower and how the shift from fossil energy to new and renewable energy," said Darmawan.