DPR Member Confident in Successful PLTD Conversion, Requires Consistent Commitment
Jakarta - A member of Commission VI of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Muhammad Sarmuji, is convinced that the conversion of diesel power plants (PLTD) to other types of energy will succeed because Indonesia has a diverse range of energy sources, but it must be supported by consistent commitment.
“I myself am confident that this programme will succeed because we have diverse energy sources, such as fossil fuels and renewable energy sources like water, wind, and solar. What is needed is strong commitment to carry out the conversion consistently,” he said in Jakarta on Friday.
Sarmuji welcomed the government’s plan to accelerate the realisation of the PLTD conversion. He assessed this step as a good programme considering the shortcomings of PLTDs so far.
“PLTD absorbs a lot of fuel oil (BBM), the cost of which is more expensive than other energy sources. Hopefully, it will be replaced with something cheaper and cleaner. The important thing is that the conversion is prepared before the closure is carried out,” he stated.
According to him, the gradual realisation of PLTD closures depends on the speed of preparing the replacements.
“It shouldn’t take long. For areas that can be reached by the electricity grid, the grid can be built; for those without a grid, it can be built with other energy sources, such as PLTS (solar power plants) and so on,” he said.
Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, after a limited meeting with President Prabowo at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Thursday (9/4) afternoon, conveyed that the step was requested to be immediately calculated and realised.
“Regarding diesel power plants, because oil prices are now high, the President has directed that this be immediately realised and calculated to be converted into solar power plants,” he said.
According to Airlangga, the Danantara Investment Management Agency (BPI) has been tasked with resolving various issues related to the PLTD.