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๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ Indonesia /Environment & Climate

PLN Expands Biomass Co-firing to 25 Power Plants to Boost Green Energy

From Tempo · (8m ago) Indonesian Positive tone

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • PT PLN Nusantara Power (PLN NP) has expanded its biomass co-firing program to 25 steam power plants (PLTU) by 2025.
  • The program generated 1.041 GWh of green energy in 2025, reducing carbon emissions by 1.17 million tons of CO2e.
  • Co-firing involves partially replacing coal with biomass in PLTU boilers without significant infrastructure modification, supporting Indonesia's energy transition.

As Indonesia continues its ambitious journey towards a sustainable energy future, PT PLN Nusantara Power (PLN NP) is making significant strides with its biomass co-firing program. This initiative, which involves blending biomass with coal in existing power plant boilers, is a pragmatic and cost-effective strategy to reduce carbon emissions while leveraging our nation's abundant resources. The expansion of this program to 25 power plants by 2025, as detailed in the report, is a testament to its success and PLN NP's commitment to environmental stewardship.

The results speak for themselves. In 2025 alone, the co-firing program yielded an impressive 1,041 gigawatt hours (GWh) of green energy, directly contributing to a reduction of 1.17 million tons of CO2e emissions. This is not just an environmental win; it's a demonstration of how Indonesia can achieve its climate goals without necessitating a complete overhaul of its existing energy infrastructure. The beauty of co-firing lies in its adaptability โ€“ it utilizes existing PLTU assets, minimizing the need for massive capital investment and allowing for a more gradual, yet impactful, transition.

From our perspective in Indonesia, this program is particularly noteworthy because it fosters a national biomass ecosystem. It creates economic opportunities at the local level, encouraging the utilization of local resources and adding value within our own communities. This dual benefit โ€“ environmental protection and economic development โ€“ is precisely the kind of balanced approach that resonates with our national development priorities. It shows that environmental responsibility and economic growth can, and indeed must, go hand in hand.

Furthermore, the continued positive trend into early 2026, with 245 GWh of green energy produced and a further 286,000 tons of CO2e emissions avoided, underscores the program's sustainability and scalability. PLN NP's success in implementing co-firing across numerous plants demonstrates that a cleaner energy future is achievable through strategic innovation and a commitment to gradual, yet determined, transformation. This is a story of Indonesian ingenuity and resilience, showcasing our ability to adapt and lead in the global energy transition.

Melalui optimalisasi aset pembangkit yang ada, kami terus menghadirkan energi yang lebih bersih, andal, dan berkelanjutan.

โ€” Ruly FirmansyahThe Director of PT PLN Nusantara Power explains the company's strategy of optimizing existing assets to provide cleaner energy.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.