Jakarta – PT Adaro Energy plans to develop solar power plants and hydroelectric power plants in their journey to transition from fossil-fuel to renewable energy. Currently, PT Adaro Energy already has a small-scale solar power plant in South Kalimantan and will develop other plants in Batam, Bintan and North Kalimantan, company managers said in an online event, Wednesday (6/4).
Adaro Energy CEO Garibaldi Thohir told Katadata CEO Metta Dharmasaputra in a recorded discussion at the 2022 Katadata Indonesia Data and Economy (IDE) Conference that “Adaro must transform”, adding that the company that ran the largest coal mining operations in South and Central Kalimantan began to focus on developing new and renewable energy (NRE).
“This country is blessed with abundant sunlight, but solar energy cannot be (obtained) 24 hours, so it must be combined with hydro, gas, coal as mixed energy … Indonesia has large resources to develop hydropower,” he said. Adaro Energy owns a large area of oil palm plantation in North Kalimantan which will be developed to become an NRE operation.
“We can’t depend on just one source of energy, that would be very dangerous. So in the future, in my opinion, what will happen is mixed energy. If you depend on one energy source, then there is a disruption, you will collapse,” Thohir explained.
“Adaro will develop hydro as well as industrial estate and its derivatives in North Kalimantan. This project cannot be completed within 1-2 years,” he said, adding that he estimates the project to be completed within 10 to 15 years.
Thohir also shared his interest in carbon capture technology. “The technology is still expensive but within 10 years it could be affordable,” he said.
Adaro Energy plans to produce environmentally friendly aluminum at a higher selling price than ordinary aluminum in North Kalimantan, said Thohir. Aluminum and nickel are the raw materials for electric car batteries. (Hartatik)
Banner photo source: Adaro Energy
