PLN supports industrial growth, NZE in Kalimantan

Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - PT PLN South and Central Kalimantan Main Distribution Unit stated its support for industrial growth in Kalimantan, including coal mining business such as PT Borneo Indobara (BIB).

PLN South and Central Kalimantan General Manager Ahmad Syauki at a meeting with the management of PT BIB and its strategic partners at "Customer Engagement" in Banjarbaru, Monday (Nov 18, 2024) confirmed that PLN strongly support the need for additional electrical power required by PT BIB and all its partners.

"We certainly very happy and will support the program to increase BIB's power need. We are very committed to this, especially now that we are supported by an adequate power supply," Syauki pointed out as as quoted from the company's written statement on Thursday.

PLN will also help BIB to achieve the net zero emissions (NZE) target by 2028. 

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The meeting was also attended by Chief Operating Officer of PT BIB Raden Utoro, Joko Tri Raharjo from PT Putra Perkasa Abadi (PPA), President Director of PT Cipta Kridatama (CK) Meidi Wibowo, PT Anugerah Energi Kalimantan (AEK) Beni Teja, PT BAMA Edo Prasetyo, Senior Manager of Commerce and Customer Management Agus Tri Suardi, Manager of PLN UP3 Kotabaru Anas Febrian, as well as representatives of various strategic partners.

Syauki explained that connecting electricity to mining sites which are tens to hundreds of kilometers from main substation certainly has quite big technical challanges.

"Our comon challange is technical voltage, PLN will try to improve the quality of service in mining areas by adding several infrastructures, such as capasitors. However, we have to collaborate so that electricity supply remain optimal and can suport smooth operation," he said.

Chief Operating Officer of PT BIB Raden Utoro acknowledged how important is PLN electricity in helping save operational cost and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. So that the company is trying to shift the majority of of its energy use to PLN electricity.

“If we use fuel for mining, then we need about 800 liters per day. In contrast, using PLN electricity requires almost 12 megawatt of power, with diesel as backup. So, our electricity needs are very large," said Raden.

PLN electricity also helps PT BIB to achieve NZE target in2028, thus by switching completely to using clean electrcity from PLN and other renewable energy, BIB hopes to support more sustainable industrial growth.

This electrification synergy is also hoped to increase PT BIB's productivity, which will have a positive impact on increasing local revenue.

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