Increasing Biomass Generating Capacity Requires Synchronization of Government Regulations

Chairman of the Indonesian Renewable Energy Society (METI) Wiluyo Kusdwiharto (Doc. PLN)

CHAIRMAN of the Indonesian Renewable Energy Society (METI) Wiluyo Kusdwiharto revealed that there was an increase in the capacity of biomass power plants (PLTBm) of up to 1 gigawatt in the draft electricity supply business plan (RUPTL) 2024 to 2033.

Currently, the potential for PLTBm is projected to reach 313 megawatts (MW), with a number of PLTBm already operating in several areas, such as Deli Serdang, Ujung Batu, Pasir Mandoge, Arung Dalam, and Sandai, with a total capacity of 27 MW.

“There will be plans to increase PLTBm capacity to 1 GW in the upcoming RUPTL,” he said in an official statement quoted on Thursday (3/10).

Also read: Throughout 2023, PLN EPI has absorbed 1 million tons of biomass

Wiluyo also emphasized the need for strong regulatory support and synchronization from the government, this is considered important to accelerate domestic biomass development. The problems faced by his party include the biomass price which has been set by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, but its implementation is in the hands of PT PLN.

“Because of this, we still have to coordinate with the Ministry of Finance so that these costs can be included in the permitted operational costs,” said PT PLN’s Director of Project Management and New Renewable Energy.

Bioenergy Investment and Cooperation Coordinator, Directorate General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation (Ditjen EBTKE) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Trois Dilisusendi, explained that Indonesia has huge potential from biomass which, if converted into electricity, is equivalent to 56.97 GW. By the end of 2023, the contribution of bioenergy in the renewable energy mix will reach 7.4% of the total 13.3%.

He also said that the development of bioenergy could replace fossil energy in various sectors, including electricity, transportation, industry and households.

However, several challenges are still faced in developing the biomass sector, such as procurement of biomass fuel (B3m) that meets economies of scale, transportation and logistics costs, and sustainable biomass supply. Apart from that, the challenges of price, availability of materials, and implementation of technical standards such as the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) for biomass fuel are also important concerns. (E-2)