Jakarta, IO – SOE Minister Erick Thohir during the hearing with the House Committee VI on Monday said his ministry has shut down Suralaya 1, 2, 3 and 4 coal-fired power plants (PLTU) in a bid to overcome air pollution in Jakarta and its surrounding areas.
According to Erick, the deactivation of the PLTU is proof of the government’s commitment to reduce air pollution that has impacted the residents’ health. However, Erik said, this step was not effective because data showed that air pollution in Jakarta and its suburbs has yet to dissipate, per CNBC Indonesia, Monday (4/9).
Based on data from the Environment and Forestry Ministry (KLHK), PLTUs are one of the biggest contributors to air pollution in Jakarta, by up to 31 percent, after the transportation sector (44 percent).
Erick said there must be a solution in the form of renewable energy, one being geothermal which has a base load like PLTU.
Read: Foreigners Can Now Stay For 10 Years In Indonesia With Golden Visa
Erick said the SOE ministry has been pushing state energy firm PT Pertamina to acquire geothermal assets at state-run electricity company PT PLN and state-owned geothermal energy company PT Geo Dipa Energi.
PLTU Suralaya 1, 2, 3 and 4 with 4 x 400 Mega Watt (MW) capacity located in Merak, Cilegon, Banten belong to PLN subsidiary PT Indonesia Power (IP). (bp)