The Director General Of Mineral And Coal Calls Energy Transition Doesn't Must No Coal

Illustration (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The energy transition is one of the priority issues at the G20 Indonesia Presidency in 2022 with a main focus on access, technology, and funding.

The Director General of Mineral and Coal at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Ridwan Djamaluddin, explained that the energy transition does not have to eliminate coal. With technological innovation, emissions from coal can be suppressed so that the Net Zero Emission target in 2060 can still be achieved.

"Let's think in another way. The keyword is the sustainable energy transition. Net Zero Emission in 2060 is a big scenario that we have to formulate with unusual steps. The key is innovation," he said in an official statement, Tuesday, August 30.

Regarding innovation, Ridwan emphasized the importance of the aspect of technological affordability and mastery.

"I suggest making a NZE version of the coal industry, so it doesn't just reduce the use of other coal, is there another way to NZE with a more innovative approach," explained Ridwan.

PTBA President Director Arsal Ismail said the company was strengthening its existence and transforming into an energy company.

This is in line with the vision of PTBA to become a world-class energy company that cares about the environment.

According to him, this transformation is not solely carried out to create a sustainable business, but also supports the Indonesian government's target to achieve Net Zero Emission by 2060.

"We have implemented various business transformation strategies such as increasing the portfolio of new renewable energy-based power plants and developing coal downstream into dimethyl ether (DME)," said Arsal Ismail.

In terms of mining operations, Arsal added, there are two main programs running, namely Eco Mechanized Mining and the E-Mining Reporting System.

In the Eco Mechanized Mining program, the company replaces mining equipment that uses fossil-based fuel to electric.

Meanwhile, in the E-Mining Reporting System program, Bukit Asam utilizes production reporting platforms in real time and online so as to minimize conventional monitoring by vehicle and reduce the use of fuel.

Not only that, Bukit Asam is also aggressively implementing carbon management programs, an integration program to reduce carbon emissions in the company's mining operations.

Several carbon management efforts were carried out, namely reclamation, decarbonization of mining operations, and CPUS studies.

Regarding this CCUS study, Bukit Asam is also holding a decarbonization technology competition that focuses on carbon reduction and CCUS with the title Bukit Asam Innovation Award 2022 Greenovator Indonesia.

"We hope that this competition can support the birth of innovations related to decarbonization technology in the mining sector, especially coal, to create affordable, reliable, sustainable energy," concluded Arsal.