Indonesia is contemplating the closure of a segment of the Suralaya coal-fired power plant in Banten to address air quality concerns in Jakarta, according to a senior government official.
Maritime Affairs and Investment Coordinating Minister Luhut Pandjaitan, who is responsible for some commodity policies, announced at a solar power conference today that the government is evaluating the shutdown of 2GW of the 4GW capacity at the Suralaya facility, operated by state utility PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN).
“This measure is crucial for improving air quality in Jakarta,” Luhut stated. “We are actively working on this and will make an official announcement soon.”
The Suralaya power complex, located west of Jakarta, is composed of eight units, with the oldest having been in operation since the 1980s. While the plant remains a major electricity supplier for Jakarta, it has also been a significant contributor to the city’s air pollution issues.
Residents of Jakarta, a city with a population of 10 million, have long expressed concerns about poor air quality resulting from traffic emissions, industrial activities, and coal-fired power plants. In 2021, local residents successfully filed a civil suit against the government, demanding stronger actions to control air pollution.
Deputy Maritime Minister Rachmat Kaimuddin mentioned at the conference that discussions are ongoing regarding the financial implications and logistical details of decommissioning some of Suralaya’s units.
Despite these environmental concerns, PLN is also expanding its operations at the Suralaya site. The company, in collaboration with Indonesian firm Barito Pacific through their joint venture PT Indo Raya Tenaga, is developing an additional 2GW of modern coal-fired capacity to support power supply for Java and Bali. This new capacity is expected to become operational by the end of August, as reported by state news agency Antara last week.
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