PLN unit partners firms to accelerate sorghum biomass for coal co-firing

PT PLN Energi Primer Indonesia, through its subsidiary PLN EPI Investasi, has signed a cooperation agreement with PT Young Aviation Indonesia and PT Berkah Inti Daya to develop sorghum as a biomass feedstock, aiming to support coal co-firing at power plants.

The partnership, formalised through a memorandum of understanding signed in Jakarta, is part of efforts to strengthen Indonesia’s biomass ecosystem and expand renewable energy use in coal-fired power plants (PLTUs). The initiative also seeks to optimise land use through the cultivation of sustainable energy crops.

PLN EPI Investasi President Director Yongky Permana Ramlan said the collaboration opens new opportunities for biomass-based energy development, covering not only crop cultivation but also investment, technical and commercial assessments.

 “This collaboration is expected to increase national biomass production capacity while ensuring sustainable supply for PLN’s power generation needs,” Yongky said on Thursday.

Read also : PLN EPI targets 1 million tonnes of biomass exports in 2026

President Director of PT Young Aviation Indonesia Jung Young Geun said pilot sorghum planting had delivered promising results, with yields reaching up to 65 tons of biomass per hectare.

 “With that level of productivity, we are optimistic sorghum can be developed on a larger scale,” he said.

Meanwhile, PT Berkah Inti Daya President Director Eri Prabowo said sorghum could become a strategic alternative and potentially a “game changer” in biomass development for coal co-firing.

PLN EPI Biomass Director Hokkop Situngkir stressed the need to accelerate business planning to ensure the project’s long-term viability, particularly in terms of economics and scalability.

He added the program has received support from multiple government ministries, including the agriculture, land and spatial planning, village development, and cooperatives ministries.

The sorghum-based biomass initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen Indonesia’s energy mix, enhance energy independence and accelerate the transition toward a more sustainable energy system.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak