Bayan Resources Owned By Conglomerate Low Tuck Kwong Assesses Business Diversification From PLTS To Downstream

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The direction of the current national energy policy is to implement an energy transition, namely from fossil energy to energy that is cleaner, less emissions, and environmentally friendly, especially through the development of New Renewable Energy (EBT).

The coal company owned by the Low Tuck Kwong conglomerate, PT Bayan Resorts, has begun to examine the possibility of diversifying its business into new and renewable energy (EBT).

Bayan Resources Director Alexander Ery Wibowo detailed that several business alternatives being studied include Solar Power Plants (PLTS), geothermal and coal downstreaming.

"Indeed, there are several options that we are currently examining, namely PLTS as a power producer or as a developer, the second is geothermal and the third is coal downstreaming," he said in Jakarta, Monday, August 8.

Alexander added that until now, business diversification requires different resources because both have two different business lines.

However, he continued, his party is currently focusing on meeting the high export and domestic demand for coal.

"Currently we are still focused, especially since the demand for coal is very high. And to boost production it also requires very detailed work to improve infrastructure because the industry is catching up with time," he said.

To reduce emissions, in addition to diversifying its business, Bayan has also begun to reduce the use of fossil energy for the company's operational activities, such as the use of B30 biodiesel and combining the use of PLTS with generators.

"For heavy equipment, we are currently starting to use B30 in line with the government's program," he continued.

However, considering the mining location is quite extreme and is located in a remote area, Bayan still uses generators.

"Because solar panels usually don't use batteries, so they can only last up to 8 hours," he concluded.