goodmorningpapua.com – The government plans to increase the capacity of the biomass-based eco-friendly power plant in Merauke Regency, Papua. The increase in electricity capacity based on New Renewable Energy (EBT) will be included in the Business Plan for the Provision of Electricity (RUPTL) for 2021-2030.
Currently, the electricity supply based on renewable energy is supplied by PT Merauke Narada Energi, owned by PT Medco Energi as a Biomass Power Plant Developer (PLTBm) with a capacity of 3.5 mega watts (MW) in Wapeko, Merauke Regency.
A Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Dadan Kusdiana, appreciated the efforts to electrify Merauke by using the eco-friendly power plant. In his view, what has been achieved now cannot be separated from the earnest efforts and cooperation of many parties.
This is also a very spectacular achievement in terms of energy utilization in an area that has more limited facilities and infrastructure compared to other areas on the island of Java. The government will continue to work together to expand the use of NRE in the electricity sector in other areas.
“Now we are finalizing the RUPTL for 2021-2030 including adding the portions of NRE in Papua,” he said in a written statement.
Dadan also ensured the increase in the capacity of the 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.
“Regarding what was said earlier, 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% of its electricity based on EBT,” he said.
According to Dadan, the biomass power plant developed by PT Medco by utilizing local resources is very appropriate for Papua. This can 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.