Indonesia’s state-owned electricity company PLN said to successfully reduced 1.05 million tons of carbon emissions and produce 1.04 TWh of clean energy in 2023 by optimizing biomass with co-firing technology at coal-fired power plants.
PLN intends to conduct tests on the co-firing technology until 2025, aiming to implement it across all 52 PLTU facilities in Indonesia. (Photo: Kasan Kurdi / Greenpeace)
PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo said that the company had been exploring ways to use biomass as a substitute for coal since 2021. The company did not specify the type of biomass it used last year.
"Co-firing technology is a breakthrough in the country's energy transition efforts, as this technology offers plenty of benefits. In addition to reducing emissions, this technology will help us break free from reliance on fossil-based energy," he noted in a statement.
Prasodjo explained that by using the co-firing technology, PLN can provide people with a reliable and affordable supply of power, adding that utilization of the technology has been driving economy by involving them in the development of biomass.
He further noted that last year, PLN managed to consume as much as one million tons of biomass for the operation of 43 coal-fired power plants (PLTU) across the country. The figure shows an increase of 71% in biomass absorption as compared to 2022.
PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo explained how the company plans to achieve its 2060 net-zero target at COP28. (Photo: Darmawan Prasodjo)
According to Prasodjo, PLN will continue to conduct tests on the co-firing technology until 2025, with the goal of applying the technology in all 52 PLTU across Indonesia.
He also said that in late 2023, the company successfully used 100% biomass for operating the Sintang PLTU, West Kalimantan, for 15 days, setting a record for the longest duration in the country.
Prasodjo mentioned that the optimization of biomass could help people boost their economy, saying that PLN has been developing an ecosystem for biomass by collaborating with communities, micro, small, and medium enterprises and local governments.
Since March 2023, PLN has been working along with the Yogyakarta Special Region provincial government to create a green economy zone with the objective of involving local residents in achieving the net-zero 2060 target.
"As a state-run company, our responsibility is not limited to offering clean energy. We have been innovating to cover various aspects, support people's economy, preserve forest areas, rehabilitate barren lands, and escape the reliance on fossil-based fuel," he said.
