FS shows that waste-fired power plant uneconomic

By Bernard Loebs

State-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina (Persero) said that the result of feasibility study (FS) for a planned 120-MW waste-fired power plant showed that the project is uneconomic.

Salis Aprilian, Pertamina Gas Directorate SVP for Engineering and Operation Management told Petromindo.Com on Monday that a high-cost drier must be constructed for the project as the household waste that will feed the power plant is wet.

"The FS shows that significant additional investment must be spent to set up drier before the waste can be further processed, that does not match with electricity selling price," he said.

Salis added that drying technology that can be installed at lower cost must be sought to make the project economical.

Pertamina is teaming up with local firm PT Godang Tua Jaya to develop waste-fired power plant in Bantar Gebang, Bekasi, West Java. Bantar Gebang is the final dumping place for Jakarta garbage.

Pertamina commissioned PT Fluor Daniel Indonesia to carry out the feasibility study.

Editing by Alexander Ginting