Coal Stock for Power Plants Called a Drag, Deputy Minister of Energy Opens Voice
Coal Stock for PLTU is Called a Drag, Wamen ESDM Opens Voice
JAKARTA - Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Yuliot Tanjung spoke up regarding the complaints of the electricity producer association which said that coal stocks for electricity were in short supply.
Yuliot said that his party had coordinated with PT PLN (Persero) to ensure the availability of primary energy such as coal for power plants.
“Last week for the availability of primary energy, especially coal, we have also coordinated with PLN,” Yuliot told the media at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Office, Friday, February 27.
The government, he said, has also asked PLN to submit a list of plants that have urgent needs so that coal supplies can be prioritized to plants that need it.
According to Yuliot, the domestic market obligation or DMO rule of 30 percent which is required by the government to coal producers should be sufficient for the needs of the plant.
“I have already said that for DMO it is about 30 percent of this total production is used for power plant needs in the country. So the needs should be sufficient,” he continued.
Furthermore, the former Deputy Minister of BKPM said that the main challenge lies in the process of sending coal from the mine site to the power plant. Untimely distribution can affect primary energy reserves at a number of power plants.
Yuliot gave an example that some plants have a minimum limit of primary energy reserves of around 20 days of operation. If the reserves fall below this limit, then the coal ordering and delivery system must be carried out immediately.
“So if it is reduced from 20 days, how is this order system delivered and also based on the existing RKAB, it will also be seen and in this procurement process, it should not be delayed,” explained Yuliot.
He added, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia has also given special attention so that the supply of primary energy for domestic power plants does not experience disruptions.
“Primary energy is not only coal but also related to the availability of LNG for plants and also those distributed through the pipeline is also our priority,” said Yuliot.