Indonesia to cut coal’s share of electricity to around 30 pct by 2050

The use of coal for electricity plants in Indonesia will be reduced from the current 55 percent to around 30 percent by 2050.

 

Jakarta (Xinhua/Indonesia Window) – Indonesia will gradually reduce its use of coal for electricity generation from the current 55 percent to around 30 percent by 2050.

Instead, the government will shift to cleaner and renewable energy sources, an official from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said on Wednesday (Oct. 8).

Secretary of the Directorate General of Minerals and Coal, Siti Sumilah Rita Susilawati, said that coal-fired power remains the main contributor to the country’s electricity supply.

“Currently, around 55 percent of our power plants still rely on coal. This share will be gradually reduced and replaced with new and renewable energy sources,” Rita noted.

According to her, coal will still play a role in Indonesia’s energy mix in 2050. However, the government has instructed state-owned electricity company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) to adopt advanced technologies such as ultra-supercritical systems, which can significantly reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Indonesia’s target of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 cannot be achieved simply by reducing fossil fuel use, Rita underscored, adding that the government is prioritizing energy mix and technological innovation to reduce emissions.

“Reducing fossil fuel consumption, for example, in the smelting sector, is a good starting point. We have directed smelters to use new and renewable energy as their primary energy source,” she added.

The government is currently working to achieve its economic growth target of eight percent by 2029, while advancing the transition to a low-carbon economy and achieving net-zero emissions by 2060.

Reporting by Indonesia Window