The Government Targets 50% of Merauke's Electricity Supply to Use EBT

The government wants to increase the capacity of New Renewable Energy (EBT), especially biomass-based in Merauke Regency, Papua. The government is targeting 50 percent of the area's electricity to be supplied from NRE.

Renewable energy-based electricity supply is currently supplied by PT Merauke Narada Energi, owned by PT Medco Energi as a Biomass Power Plant Developer (PLTBm) with a capacity of 3.5 megawatts (MW) in Wapeko, Merauke Regency.

Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Dadan Kusdiana ensured the increase in the capacity of PLTBm from the current capacity of 3.5 MW to 10 MW, considering that the potential it has is still possible to increase its capacity.

"There is still a potential of 50 MW, we have tried to increase it to 10 MW, we have allocated it, we will see later that Merauke can get 50 percent of its electricity based on EBT," said Dadan in an official statement, Friday, August 13, 2021.

According to Dadan, the biomass power plant developed by Medco by utilizing local resources is very appropriate for Papua and should also be developed in other areas with similar conditions to Papua. The development of this biomass power plant will not be successful if it does not involve the local community.

The increase in electricity capacity based on New and Renewable Energy (EBT) will be stated in the Business Plan for the Provision of Electricity (RUPTL) 2021-2030. He said the government is currently finalizing the RUPTL for 2021-2030 including adding the portions of NRE in Papua.

“One type of NRE that is indeed the most suitable for community-based development is PLT Biomass. I see it is going well in Merauke and I will spread it everywhere, I will tell you about this success, the success of the Merauke Regent as well as the Public Service Agency for the Environmental Fund Management Agency (BPDLH), so that we will not only see it in Merauke but also in other places. another place,” continued Dadan.

He also advised that the raw material for biomass power plants is wood, so that the wood and trees that are cut down must be replaced with new ones to preserve the environment.

"So the trees should not be reduced. This program is a sustainable program, so the forest must at least be the same as what it is now,” concluded Dadan.

SOURCE: https://indonesiatimur.id/2021/08/14/government-targetkan-50-pasokan-listrik-merauke-gunakan-ebt/