Jakarta (ANTARA) - State-owned electricity company PT PLN claimed to successfully suppress 1.05 million tons of carbon emissions and produce 1.04 terawatt hour of clean energy throughout 2023 by optimizing biomass with co-firing technology at coal-fired power plants.

PLN President Director Darmawan Prasodjo stated that the company had been developing means to use biomass as a substitute for coal since 2021.

"Co-firing technology is a breakthrough in the country's energy transition efforts, as this technology offers plenty of benefits. In addition to reducing emissions, this technology will help us break free from reliance on fossil-based energy," he noted in a statement received here on Wednesday.

Prasodjo explained that by utilizing the co-firing technology, PLN can provide people with a reliable and affordable supply of power, adding that utilization of the technology has been driving the people's economy by involving them in the development of biomass.

Prasodjo further noted that last year, PLN managed to absorb as much as one million tons of biomass for the operation of 43 coal-fired power plants (PLTU) across Indonesia. The figure marks an increase of 71 percent in biomass absorption as compared to 2022.

According to the president director, PLN will continue to conduct tests on the co-firing technology until 2025, with the objective of applying the technology in all 52 PLTU in the country.

He also noted that in late 2023, the company successfully used 100-percent biomass for operating the Sintang PLTU, West Kalimantan, for 15 days, setting a record for the longest duration in Indonesia.

"The 100 percent of biomass utilization serves as proof of PLN's consistency in providing clean energy for a better Indonesia. I hope that this success will motivate us to do the same in other PLTU," he remarked.

Prasodjo then opined that the optimization of biomass could help people boost their economy, saying that PLN has been developing an ecosystem for biomass by collaborating with communities; cooperatives; micro, small, and medium enterprises; and local governments.

Since March 2023, he stated that PLN has been working along with the Yogyakarta Special Region provincial government to develop a green economy zone with the aim of involving local residents in achieving the net-zero emission 2060 target.

"As a state-run enterprise, our responsibility is not limited to providing clean energy. We have been innovating to cover various aspects, support people's economy, preserve forest areas, rehabilitate barren lands, and escape the reliance on fossil-based fuel," he noted.

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Translator: Benardy F, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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