Starting From PLTS With GIS To PLTB With Chinese Companies, Here Are A Series Of PTBA's EBT Development Plans

Management of Bukit Asam. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - President Director of PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) Arsal Ismail revealed that a number of business expansions being carried out by the company into the new and renewable energy sector, continue to roll. Recently, PTBA explored the potential for cooperation in the development of a Solar Power Plant (PLTS) at the operational location of the Semen Indonesia Group (SIG).

"This collaboration is marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Development of New Renewable Energy (EBT) for Solar Power Plants on October 18, 2022," he said at a press conference in Jakarta, Thursday, October 27.

He further explained that PTBA through its subsidiary, PT Bukit Energi Investama (BEI) will build PLTS to support the operational activities of the PT Semen Padang factory which is a subsidiary of GIS.

The plan is to build PLTS with a capacity of 40 Megawatt-peak (MWp) including Rooftop PLTS and Ground Mounted PLTS which are targeted to operate commercially (Commercial Operation Date/COD) in 2023 - 2024.

In addition, he continued, PTBA together with China Huadian Corporation (CHD) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on October 18, 2022, are exploring the development of a 1,300 MW Wind Power Plant (PLTB) in South China and other renewable energy developments in Indonesia.

"We have indeed made an MoU, if for (the development of PLTB) in Indonesia we are still looking for the most suitable location," added Arsal.

Furthermore, he added, a concrete form of PTBA's support in efforts to reduce global carbon emissions was also marked by the synergy with PT Jasa Marga (Persero) Tbk in the development of PLTS on the Jasa Marga Group toll road. Among them is the construction of PLTS on the Bali-Mandara Toll Road with a capacity of 400 Kilowatt peak (kWp).

PLTS on the Bali-Mandara Toll Road has been completed and inaugurated on September 21, 2022. Furthermore, there is an exploration of the potential for PLTS development on other toll road sections. PLTS on the Bali-Mandara Toll Road also supports Indonesia's G20 Presidency which will be held in Bali in November 2022.

Previously, PTBA had also built PLTS at Soekarno Hatta Airport in collaboration with PT Angkasa Pura II (Persero). The PLTS consists of 720 solar panel systems with photovoltaics with a maximum capacity of 241 kWp and is installed in the Airport Operation Control Center (AOCC) Building. This PLTS has been fully operational since October 1, 2020.

"This is in line with the government's program towards Net Zero Emission (NZE), this fossil energy, whether we like it or not, will gradually decrease and PTBA is preparing to face this," he concluded.