PLN Adapts Power Plants for Low-Calorie Coal Use

State-owned electricity firm PT PLN (Persero) is adapting its coal-fired power plants to burn lower-calorie coal, a move aimed at strengthening electricity supply reliability and aligning with changes in national coal production. The company has begun retrofitting its PLTU Suralaya Units 6 and 7, enabling them to operate with coal ranging from 4,100 to 4,300 kcal/kg, down from the previous requirement of 4,600 to 4,800 kcal/kg.

Darmawan Prasodjo, PLN's President Director, explained that the need for retrofitting arises from a national supply shift. Lower-calorie coal production is increasing, while higher-calorie coal is becoming scarcer. This imbalance had previously affected the reliability of the electricity system, particularly in Java. PLN, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, is securing higher-calorie coal supplies while developing long-term solutions through plant specification adjustments.

Following the success at Suralaya, PLN plans to implement similar retrofits across its power plants, including those owned by PLN Indonesia Power and PLN Nusantara Power. The company has incorporated this plan into its 2026 project feasibility studies and budget plans, as well as its long-term corporate strategy. This initiative aims to enhance the flexibility of power plants in utilizing available domestic coal without compromising electricity supply reliability.

PLN views these adjustments as a crucial long-term solution to the evolving characteristics of national coal production. The company is also bolstering the electricity system through new power plant development and reliability improvement programs. These retrofit efforts are expected to prevent similar issues in the future and support national energy security by maximizing the use of abundant domestic coal resources.

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PLTU Suralaya 6 and 7 tadinya menggunakan batu bara dengan kalori menengah ke atas, sekarang bisa menggunakan batu bara low rank coal atau batu bara dengan kalori sekitar 4.100 sampai 4.300, yang sebelumnya 4.600 sampai 4.800.