Jakarta Air Pollution: List of Operating Coal-Fired Power Plants (PLTU) and Company Operational Cease Orders

Air pollution in Jakarta and its surrounding areas remains a serious concern for the public. Several sources are suspected of worsening air quality recently, namely mobile and stationary sources.

The Indonesian Environmental Forum (Walhi) mentions that the mobile sources referred to are motor vehicle exhaust fumes emitting carbon dioxide. Air pollution produced from the transportation sector spreads more quickly because it follows the movement of motor vehicles.

Meanwhile, stationary sources are carbon dioxide emissions activities carried out in a certain place and continuously. Examples include road construction projects, industrial and factory area activities, and activities from coal-fired power plants (PLTU).

The Head of Walhi DKI Jakarta Campaign, Muhammad Aminullah, said that the role of coal-fired power plant (PLTU) emissions in Banten and West Java is one of the factors contributing to the deterioration of air quality in Jakarta and its surroundings recently. Walhi calculates that PLTUs contribute 20-30% of air pollution in Jakarta, while transportation contributes 30-40%.

Together with Greenpeace, Walhi has compiled a list of 10 coal-fired power plants within 100 kilometers (km) of the capital city. The following is a list based on installed capacity volume, as reported by Katadata:

1. PLTU Suralaya units 1-7
PLTU Suralaya is located in Pulo Merak District, Cilegon City, Banten, or precisely 7 kilometers northeast of Merak Port. The PLTU, built in 1984, has a capacity of 3,400 MW.

2. PLTU Pelabuhan Ratu units 1-3
PLTU Pelabuhan Ratu, better known as PLTU West Java 2 Pelabuhan Ratu Operation and Maintenance Services Unit (OMU), is located in Sukabumi Regency and has an installed capacity of 1,050 MW.

3. PLTU Lontar units 1-3
PLTU Lontar is one of the projects of PT PLN West Java Unit with a capacity of 945 MW. PLTU Lontar supplies three subsystems in the DKI Jakarta and Banten regions: the Balaraja Subsystem, the Kembangan Subsystem, and the Muara Karang-Gandul Subsystem. PLTU Lontar is located in Lontar Village, Kemiri District, Tangerang, Banten Province.

4. PLTU Lestari Banten Energi
This privately owned PLTU is located in Serang, the capital city of Banten Province, with a capacity of 670 Megawatts (MW). This PLTU, which uses supercritical boiler technology, began commercial operation in 2017. This project, which is part of the 35,000 MW program, required an investment of US$1 billion.

5. PLTU Suralaya unit 8
This 625 MW PLTU began operating on December 28, 2011. Located in Suralaya Village, Pulomerak District, Cilegon City, Banten, it is often referred to as the New Suralaya PLTU.

6. PLTU Labuan units 1-2
This PLTU, which began operating in 2009, has a total capacity of 600 MW for electricity supply to the Java-Bali system. PLTU Labuan Units 1 and 2 consume 180,000 kg of coal per hour, equivalent to 69,000 liters of fuel per hour.

7. PLTU Lontar Extension Unit 4
PLTU Lontar Extension Unit 4 can generate 315 MW of electricity to supply West Java. PLTU Lontar is connected to the Java-Bali electricity system through 150kV and 500kV transmission networks.

8. PLTU Babelan units 1-2
PLTU Babelan began commercial operation in 2007 and has a capacity of 280 MW. It was equipped with a biomass system in 2021.

9. PLTU Pindo Deli and Paper Mill II
This PLTU, located in Karawang, West Java, has a capacity of 50 MW.

10. PLTU Merak Power Station units 1-2
PLTU Merak Power Station is located in Pulo Ampel District, Serang Regency, Banten Province, with a capacity of 120 MW. In August 2007, PT Merak signed a US$108 million contract with Shanghai Electric to design, build, commission, and complete the power plant.

(Also read: [Indonesia's New Coal-Fired Power Plant Project is the 3rd Largest in the World])

Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) halts operations of 4 companies

The poor air quality in Jabodetabek has been widely complained about by the public. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) has halted the operations of four companies suspected of contributing to air pollution in Jabodetabek.

These companies include PT Wahana Sumber Rezeki and PT Unitama Makmur Persada, located in the Nusantara Free Trade Zone (KBN) Marunda, North Jakarta; PT Maju Bersama Sejahtera in Cakung, East Jakarta; and PT Pindo Deli 3 in Karawang Regency, West Java.

According to Republika.co.id, there are several reasons for the suspension of operations of these companies by the Jabodetabek Air Pollution Control Task Force under the KLHK.

PT Wahana Sumber Rezeki and PT Unitama Makmur Persada reportedly lack detailed Environmental Monitoring Plans (RPL). Both companies provide coal stockpiles.

Furthermore, PT Maju Bersama Sejahtera reportedly has inconsistencies between its environmental documents and field conditions.

Then, PT Pindo Deli 3 has a dumping site for Fly Ash and Bottom Ash (FABA), or coal combustion waste. This site naturally has a FABA smokestack.

The Task Force mentions errors and non-compliance with technical requirements in the installation of sampling holes. Specifically, the sampling method was incorrect, the sampling holes did not meet regulations, and there were indications of dilution. This pulp and paper company is said to have not met technical recommendations in carrying out FABA coal waste dumping activities.

"Our team is working to investigate one by one the emission or pollution sources that affect air quality in Jabodetabek," said the Director General of Law Enforcement for the Environment and Forestry KLHK, Rasio Ridho Sani, in a press conference in Jakarta on Wednesday (23/8/2023).

(Also read: [10 Countries with the Largest Coal-Fired Power Plant Emissions in the World, Including Indonesia])