PT PLN Indonesia Power wins at Asian Power Awards 2024

The company secured multiple prestigious awards across various categories, highlighting its leadership in renewable energy and environmental sustainability.

PT PLN Indonesia Power has made a mark at the 2024 Asian Power Awards, receiving honours across four categories: Wind Power Project of the Year - Indonesia, Environmental Upgrade of the Year - Indonesia, Biomass Power Project of the Year - Bronze, and Green Hydrogen Power Project of the Year - Silver.

These accolades affirm the company’s commitment to pioneering energy solutions that drive both sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Leading the renewable energy revolution

The integration of wind power at PT PLN Indonesia Power’s Pelabuhan Ratu coal-fired power plant demonstrates the company’s innovative approach to renewable energy, winning the company Wind Power Project of the Year - Indonesia. The plant incorporates a 57.6 kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) system alongside a 4.8 kW wind turbine, transforming a traditional coal-based facility into a hybrid renewable energy powerhouse.

This project contributes significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cutting 95,024.93 kg of CO2 per year, 600.16 kg of sulphur dioxide, and 365.10 kg of nitrogen oxides. This dual-source renewable energy system showcases the potential for combining solar and wind to support green energy transitions, even at coal power facilities. Furthermore, the design of wind turbines with vertical axis blades and strategic placement on rooftops minimises environmental impacts, particularly on local bird populations, and safeguards the biodiversity of the surrounding area.

“With a strong commitment to environmental preservation and sustainability, PT PLN Indonesia Power Unit Bisnis Pembangkitan Jawa Barat 2 Pelabuhan Ratu ensures that the development of solar PV and wind turbine provides maximum benefits in terms of green electricity production and the surrounding environment without sacrificing the local ecosystem,” the company stated.

The solar PV and wind turbine installation project involves local technicians and helpers, creating job opportunities for the local community. Additionally, educational programmes such as workshops, knowledge sharing, and training at renewable energy facilities are organised to teach about the benefits of renewable energy, carbon emissions reduction, and sustainability.

Commitment to conservation

PT PLN Indonesia Power's Pelabuhan Ratu plant has undergone substantial upgrades aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and reducing its carbon footprint, bagging the Environmental Upgrade of the Year - Indonesia.

Building on its efforts in solar and wind power for its coal-fired power plant, the company implemented advanced inverter technology, chosen using the Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Making method, to successfully integrate solar PV and wind power with its coal-fired operations. The goal of this research is to provide recommendations for the best inverter to integrate solar PV and wind turbines at the Pelabuhan Ratu Coal-Fired Power Plant.

These improvements not only reduce coal usage by 13.5 tonnes per year but also decrease water consumption by 18,523.37 cubic metres annually, supporting critical water conservation efforts in a world where resources are increasingly strained. This environmental upgrade significantly lowers operational costs, with total production savings estimated at US$118,556.67 per year.

Tapping into biomass for sustainable energy

PT PLN Indonesia Power UBP Suralaya’s efforts in biomass energy have also garnered recognition, receiving the Biomass Power Project of the Year - Bronze accolade. The Suralaya coal-fired power plant, one of Southeast Asia’s largest, has been incorporating biomass into its fuel mix, co-firing with sawdust from local industries since 2020.

This transition reduces carbon emissions and leverages waste materials from agriculture and forestry, providing a sustainable and localised energy source.

The project has shown promising results, reducing dependency on fossil fuels whilst supporting the local economy through the utilisation of agricultural residues and creating opportunities for rural development. PT PLN Indonesia Power’s biomass co-firing initiative underscores its role in promoting greener energy alternatives within Indonesia’s coal-dominated power generation landscape, aligning with national goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

A path for clean hydrogen energy

In a leap towards future energy innovation, PT PLN Indonesia Power won Green Hydrogen Power Project of the Year - Silver with the Suralaya plant. By installing a 345 kWp solar PV system dedicated to producing green hydrogen for cooling turbines, the company is reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and promoting cleaner energy practices.

“This system aims to produce green hydrogen, primarily used for cooling turbines in the coal power plant, thus contributing to a more sustainable and eco-friendly operation,” the company said.

This project highlights PT PLN Indonesia Power’s commitment to the future of sustainable energy, as hydrogen is seen as a key component of global decarbonisation efforts. The green hydrogen initiative reduced CO2 emissions by 210.28 tonnes annually and slashed energy costs by 9.7%. Adopting this PV system also supports PT PLN's renewable energy goals and enhances its green performance metrics, positioning the company as a leader in sustainable energy solutions.

PT PLN Indonesia Power’s success at the 2024 Asian Power Awards reflects its leadership in the transition to a greener and more sustainable energy future. Through its innovative projects as well as its commitment to environmental upgrades, the company is setting new standards for renewable energy integration in Indonesia.

The prestigious Asian Power Awards honours exceptional companies that have taken game-changing steps to address the effects of the climate crisis and meet the growing energy demand.

The Asian Power Awards is presented by Asian Power Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2024 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's revolutionary innovations and initiatives in the power industry in Asia, please contact Danica Avila at [email protected].