Indonesia’s PT PLN has added New Renewable Energy (EBT) generators, and is now operating two units of the Besai Kemu Minihydro Power Plant (PLTM) with a capacity of 2 x 3.5 Megawatts (MW) in Banjit District, Way Kanan, Lampung.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo said that this is line with the company’s goals of beginning the new year by increasing EBT generating capacity as an energy transition effort.

“We are stepping on the gas to start 2024… We are carrying out our energy transition commitment by maximizing the use of existing environmentally friendly energy potential,” he said.

He added that Indonesia has abundant potential water energy sources, which are seen to be one of the pioneers in the transition from fossil energy to domestic energy sources.

With a production capacity of 2 x 3.5 MW, it is estimated that the two PLTMs can produce 39 Gigawatt Hours (GWh) of green energy per year.

“As the backbone of the success of the energy transition to achieve Net Zero Emissions (NZE) by 2060, PLN is actively accelerating various initiatives both collectively and collaboratively with stakeholders at home and abroad,” said Darmawan.

He explained that PLN has planned for this additional electrical energy to be supported by 75% of NRE and 25% from the gas sector until 2040.

“For this reason, PLN has prepared an Accelerated Renewable Energy Development (ARED) scenario to massively increase EBT generating capacity and overcome the challenges of intermittency and incompatibility of EBT source locations with demand centers in urban areas,” continued Darmawan.

General Manager of PLN Lampung Main Distribution Unit, Saleh Siswanto, added that PLTM Besai Kemu is an Independent Power Producer (IPP) generator and is the third PLTM operating in Lampung after PLTM Batu Brak and PLTM Sukarame.

“We are grateful that today the Besai Kemu PLTM, which is an EBT generator in Lampung, has successfully operated,” said Siswanto. “This power plant can contribute to increasing the mix ratio of EBT or green energy, especially in Lampung Province.”

Meanwhile, Asep Iwan Gunawan, President Director of PT Uway Energi Perdana, has expressed his gratitude for the 100% operation of the Besai Kemu PLTM, stating that this success was supported by all parties in Lampung.

“It is hoped that the Besai Kemu PLTM will be of benefit to the people of Lampung, especially the surrounding community,” he said.

“First, as an effort to provide clean energy, the electricity produced by PLTM Besai Kemu is strengthening the supply for the electricity subsystem in Lampung. Secondly, the presence of the Besai Kemu PLTM also absorbs new workers from the surrounding community in Banjit District.”