PLN will need 46 million tons of coal next year
Wednesday, November 21 2012 - 01:22 AM WIB
Helmy Najamuddin, the head of the company?s coal department, said in Jakarta on Tuesday that PLN?s coal demand for next year would be 6.4 million tons higher than about 39.6 million tons this year.
He said that the increase would be needed due to operation of several coal-fired power plants next year, part of dozens of coal-fired power plants being built under the first 10,000 megawatt power plant project fast track development plan.
With the use of coal, PLN is able to cut down operating costs by between 6 and 7 times, compared to the use of fuel oil. For example, by using oil, the operating cost per a kilowatt of electricity is Rp 2,000.- far higher than Rp 300.- if coal is used as its fuel, Helmy said.
Helmy said that PLN will need about Rp 32.2 trillion to finance the procurement of about 46 million tons of coal next year. The spending is based on the average price of coal of Rp 700 per kilogram.
In order to guarantee long-term coal supply for the growing number of its coal-fired power plants, PLN plans to acquire a number of coal mines. For this purpose, PLN has allocated Rp 10 trillion in its budget for the acquisition of coal mines.
At present, PLN receives coal supply from the country?s main coal producers such as PT Kaltim Prima Coal, PT Bukit Asam and PT Adaro Energy. (*)