Sticks with Biofuel Policy

In recent years, the government has been aggressively encouraging the use of biofuel as one of the main alternatives to fuel oil. However, many constraints and impacts on the economic, social, and environmental side arise in this biofuel use program.

The world’s biggest palm oil producer, and exporter, Indonesia, will push ahead with its ambitious biodiesel program even as prices of tropical oil have soared, which could increase the costs of producing biofuel. The B30 program stipulates fossil fuels must be blended with 30% palm oil. The mandate is aimed at soaking up bulging supplies in the top grower. But palm’s premium over gasoil has ballooned to record levels, driven by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that has tightened global cooking oil supplies.

“We haven’t discussed the evaluated B30 program because it is still running as planned,” Fabby Tumiwa, Executive Director of the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) said. However, he said that the government could monitor crude palm oil and petroleum prices closely and will prepare options to anticipate any development without elaborating on those plans.

He continued that the problem arises because there are B40 mandates that have been postponed many times, rumors of the B40 loans, and others are skeptical if it is possible to launch B40 mandates in the current situation. But the biofuel strategy must go on because it’s also part of Indonesia energy’s strategy.

Indonesia’s efforts to increase the palm content in biofuel to 40% by 2021 were put on hold due to cheaper fuel costs and record-high palm prices. In addition, raising the blending rate would require the government to provide a significant incentive through the money it collects from palm oil export levies. As a result, road tests for vehicles powered by 40% palm biofuel may be delayed, but discussions on B40 are ongoing.

“Indonesia has several issues in launching the B40 because of the pandemic era. First, in 2020, the oil demands declined. As a result, CPO is lowered, significantly affecting the financial crisis. In 2021, there was uncertainty about the price, and the government didn’t want to give subsidies. The second problem is infrastructure. For example, part of the strategy for increasing biofuel is a refinery prepared by Pertamina in Balongan Refinery, and it’s still in development. But if these problems are solved, all the essential elements of starting the B40 this year make sense,” Fabby said.

 

The B40 plan was delayed again on high CPO prices, but Indonesia is optimistic about the year 2023 being implemented

Doubts have emerged over Indonesia’s plan to roll out B40-type biofuel this early year as the high price of CPO renders such fuel uneconomical. As a result, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has announced a delay in implementing a mandatory 40 percent palm oil-based biodiesel (B40) policy to “prioritize stability” amid rising CPO prices. 

Based on The Jakarta Post’s1 articles on March 29, 2022, Energy Minister Arifin Tasrif said that the government would continue its B30 policy – of 30% palm oil-based biodiesel – in 2022 and devise solutions to maintain the price gap between CPO and biofuel prices. He said that technically B40 is ready to be implemented and is still reviewing whether they’re prepared to produce more CPO. 

“As we know that the B40 program was slated for implementation in July 2021 following the success of the B30 program in 2019, but it was delayed by a year as high CPO prices had made the fuel uneconomical and because of the pandemic condition, but the government had planned to conduct the B40 trial on this year and we optimistic it will be implemented on 2023,” stated Fabby.

Fabby said the government was still committed to escalating the biofuel policy and developing the development plan. As of 28 March 2022, CPO prices had risen 27.5% Year To Date (YTD). The government hopes that increasing the proportion of processed CPO in biofuel would help limit petroleum imports. Indonesia has long been one of the world’s largest crude oil and gasoline fuel importers.

In 2021, the B30 program reduced greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 25 million tons, and the government studied the technological, economic, regulatory, and supporting industry aspects of implementing B40. Fabby suggested that the government begin implementing the mandatory B40 policy in 2023.

 

The Future of Biofuel Strategy

The use of biofuel continues to be increased by optimizing the production of domestic biofuels (BBN). With this policy, it is hoped that by 2027 Indonesia will no longer import fuel to save foreign exchange and improve the welfare of oil palm farmers through the mandatory biofuel program.

The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) stated that the implementation of biofuel has been successful for 15 years. However, even in biofuel with a blending rate of 30 percent, some time ago, bioavtur was tested on flights from Bandung to Jakarta and vice versa. It turns out that the results are entirely satisfactory, so it can continue to be improved.

Biofuel would act as the main substitute for petroleum fuel, especially in the transportation sector. However, based on IESR’s study, the future potential of biofuel is highly uncertain due to the rapid development of alternative technologies, especially electric vehicles. The government needs to be prudent in developing the long-term plan for biofuel and putting it under the broader energy transition plan. Increasing the biofuel mandate too aggressively could risk the infrastructure becoming stranded assets. 

The energy strategy tried to integrate biofuel planning with electric vehicle adoption and petroleum refinery development. In addition, to reduce the risk of stranded assets, investment in biofuel could be directed to retrofitting existing plants for co-processing or developing biofuel refineries that are more flexible in product portfolio and transformable to other products.

 

Source: 

  1. B40 biodiesel plan delayed again on high CPO prices, 29 March 2022
  2. Critical Review on the Biofuel Development Policy in Indonesia
  3. Energy Intelligent Interview with Fabby Tumiwa 

 

PLN Should Follow Global Transformation to a Cleaner Energy

Kendari, 7 February 2022 – The world is facing major changes in response to the increase in the earth’s temperature which has increased by 1.1 degrees Celsius since the pre-industrial era. Various global commitments have been agreed to limit the increase in the earth’s temperature to no more than 2 degrees Celsius by the middle of this century. The rise of the global temperature is caused by carbon emissions produced by burning fossil fuels, one of which is in the energy sector.

Indonesia is committed to reducing its emissions by 29% with its own efforts and 41% with foreign assistance, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 or sooner.

Dr. Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, senior energy observer, during the “Seminar Pertambangan” – mining seminar, celebrating Indonesia’s National Press Day, said that the energy sector plays a crucial role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“But keep in mind, it doesn’t mean that the net-zero emission issue will only become a burden for PLN because it is related to energy issues. It needs collaboration from various parties to ensure that the 2060 target is achieved,” he concluded, ending his keynote speech.

PLN has a big role in creating a market for renewable energy. To achieve the target of renewable energy, the involvement of the private sector is needed. Therefore, policies and a conducive investment climate need to be orchestrated.

Dadan Kusdiana, Director General of EBTKE at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources said that Indonesia is still aligned and on track to meet the international agreement commitments, but there are options for various accelerations.

“We have compiled a national roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060, and we keep looking for possible options to accelerate existing targets,” he stressed.

Specifically from the electricity sector, Evy Haryadi, Director of Corporate Planning at PLN, stated that his party was currently in a dilemma. On one hand, currently available power plants at affordable prices are fossil generators (coal power) that produce high emissions, replacing them with renewable energy plants requires a huge investment.

“We see a declining trend in electricity prices from renewable energy such as solar and wind currently ranging from 18-21 cents per kWh, compared to coal (6-8 cents/kWh) for now electricity from renewable energy is still more expensive.”

Fabby Tumiwa, Executive Director of the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), reminded that PLN needs to be careful in looking at investment trends in the electricity sector. The commercial and industrial sectors make clean energy the main need and prerequisite for investing in a country.

“Coal-fired power plants are not the cheapest power plants. Government subsidies through the DMO (Domestic Market Obligation) scheme keep coal prices at USD 70/ton, making the price of electricity from PLTU look cheap. Even though the price of coal in the market currently reaches USD 150/ton,” he explained.

Fabby continued, if the coal price of USD 150/ton is transferred to PLTU, the cost of electricity generation will increase by 32% – 61%.

Energy system disruption is happening all over the world. To ensure the reliability, affordability and sustainability of Indonesia’s energy system, PLN must carry out a transformation. This transformation will also reduce the risk of stranded assets for PLN and IPP (Independent Power Producer). As technology develops, it is estimated that in the next few years the cost of installing solar PV and batteries will be cheaper than the operating costs of a coal-fired power plant.

To achieve the common goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2060 or sooner, increasing the capacity of renewable energy must be carried out. The currently operating coal power plant needs to be managed wisely and gradually reduced. The Indonesian government’s plan to phase down 9.2 GW of coal-fired power plants through the Energy Transition Mechanism scheme is the right step, but the government has the opportunity to take more aggressive steps.

Indonesia Needs Inter-island Electricity Interconnection for 100 Percent Renewable Energy Development

Jakarta, 26 January 2022 – The energy sector which is dominated by fossil energy accounts for ⅔ of global emissions. In order to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions exponentially, massive use of renewable energy is an important thing to do. One of the efforts to empower 100 percent of the technical potential of renewable energy, which is widely spread across all provinces in Indonesia, is the construction of an interconnection of the archipelago’s electricity network. 

Jisman Hutajulu, Director of Electricity Program Development at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, in the HK Experts webinar (26/1/2022), stated that the government through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has plans to connect the grid system between islands in Indonesia.

“This is to support the 2060 net-zero emission plan. One of the things we want to encourage is the use of NRE, but many NRE sources are far from the many demand sources in Java. So we have to transmit that energy to our load center,” Jisman explained.

Jisman said that his party encouraged PLN to complete interconnections within major islands in Indonesia, which is expected to be fully completed in 2024, later to be connected between islands gradually.

Jisman admits that building this transmission system takes a lot of investment. So the ministry is making a study about priority, to analyze and determine which transmission will be built first. Furthermore, Jisman also mentioned the potential inclusion of this transmission development plan in the Problem Inventory Draft (DIM) of the NRE Bill to ensure the priority of the work.

On the same occasion, Fabby Tumiwa, Executive Director of IESR, believes that this interconnection system should be seen as an investment, not a burden from the choice of shifting to clean energy.

“According to IESR, Indonesia has abundant renewable energy potential. For solar alone, the potential can reach 7,700 GW with the largest potential based on land suitability, located in East Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and South Kalimantan,” said Fabby. 

Fabby also revealed that the initial investment needed for grid interconnection development until 2030 is still relatively small, around USD 3.3 billion because there is no inter-island integration yet. However, the required investment will increase in 2040 and 2050, respectively at USD 34.8 billion and USD 53.9 billion.

Other benefits that Indonesia can enjoy from inter-island grid interconnection include increased reliability and concentrated power reserves.

“For instance, excessive power reserves in Sumatra can be sent to Bangka, and vice versa,” said Fabby.

In addition, an integrated inter-island network can reduce investment requirements for developing new power generation. According to him again, the interconnection of the grid will create a diversity of generation mix and supply security, which is different from fossil energy systems that only come from one energy source. Furthermore, Fabby explained that if this interconnection system is already running, the cost of generating renewable energy will decrease by 18% – 46% by 2030. 

Signed the Global Declaration to Phase Out Coal, Indonesia Needs to Prepare a Coal Transition Roadmap

Jakarta, 05 November 2021- At the 26th World Leaders Summit on Climate Change or COP-26, Indonesia signed the Global Coal to Clean Power Transition declaration. On the same day, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Arifin Tasrif, also stated that the government was reviewing the opportunity to early retire coal-fired power plants with a total capacity of 9.3 GW before 2030 (4/11/2021) which could be done with funding support reaching $48 billion.

Although Indonesia has decided to exclude the third point of the Global Coal to Clean Power Transition, which demands to cease the issuance of new permits and the construction of unabated coal-fired power plants, the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) appreciates the steps taken by the Indonesian government, especially the leadership shown by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources at COP-26, to encourage a just energy transition through the development of renewable energy as widely as possible and to phase out coal-fired power plants as part of Indonesia’s action to prevent a global crisis.

“The openness of the Indonesian government to make an energy transition, through one of which is reducing the power plant in stages, should be appreciated. Post-Glasgow, the government, and the National Energy Council must accelerate the preparation of a comprehensive roadmap and strategy for the energy transition in Indonesia. Dependence on fossil energy will end if we do not rapidly increase the capacity of renewable energy. The policy focus is no longer coal as the first option, but renewable energy must be the main choice. So the energy transition needs to be carefully designed, with the priority of developing and utilizing renewable energy as much as possible and optimizing energy efficiency,” said Fabby Tumiwa, Executive Director of IESR.

Fabby emphasized that the decision to gradually stop fossil fuels, especially coal-fired power plants, is inevitable, not only from the perspective of the climate but also from the economic side of technology.

“Remarkably, with innovation and the price of renewable energy and storage technology is more competitive than fossil energy, the use of renewable energy to ensure the reliability of energy supply to achieve net-zero emission is becoming more feasible,” said Fabby.

The results of the IESR analysis from the study of Decarbonization of Energy Systems in Indonesia projected that renewable energy complemented with storage batteries will increase significantly by 2045. The share of batteries will reach 52% of the total storage system, followed by hydrogen at 37% and other storage systems around 11%. The share of electricity demand covered by energy storage increases significantly from around 2% in 2030 to 29% in 2045. The main users of battery storage will come from utility-scale systems, and to a lesser extent from commercial and industrial areas, and housing systems.

Concerning the early 9.3 GW of coal-fired power plants with details of 5.5 GW of early retirement without replacement to renewable energy power plants and 3.2 GW of early retirement with the replacement of renewable energy plants, Deon Arinaldo, Manager of the IESR Transformation Program, views this as a progressive step for decarbonization of energy system in Indonesian. However, according to IESR’s calculations, to implement the Paris Agreement targets and keep the global average temperature rise below 1.5C, there is around 10.5 GW of steam power plants that need to be retired before 2030.

“There is still a difference of 1.2 GW that needs to be retired and can be targeted for coal-fired power plants outside PLN’s business area,” said Deon.

Referring to the study of Indonesia’s Energy Decarbonization System, at least it requires investment in renewable energy and other clean energy of USD 20-25 billion per year until 2030 and increasing thereafter for the gradual financing of coal and the development of renewable energy for emission-free by 2050. However, phasing out coal-fired power plants will avoid the risk of financial loss from the stranded assets which reached USD 26 billion after 2040.

With large funding requirements for the gradual cessation of coal-fired power plants, Indonesia is working with ADB to launch the Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM) program, which is expected to raise around $3.5 billion to launch 2-3 coal-fired power plants per country.

“The existence of ETM, which will provide a financing platform, is expected to be able to provide a source of funds to retire the steam power plant and encourage the larger investment flows in renewable energy. This is crucial so that Indonesia can optimally plan the transformation of its energy system,” concluded Deon.***

The Role of Media in Indonesia’s Energy Transition Journey

In the course of economic recovery after the Covid 19 pandemic, Indonesia is currently at a crossroads to choose the path of green economic recovery, or the path of economic recovery that produces high emissions. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the Indonesian economy hard, as can be seen from the negative economic growth we are experiencing. But on the other hand, Covid 19 opens an opportunity to change the direction of economic development to be greener and lower emissions. Based on the report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Assessment Report 6 (IPCC AR6), we are running out of time to keep the earth’s temperature rise within safe limits. As one of the countries with the largest economic growth in the world as well as the largest emitter in the world, Indonesia has a responsibility to reduce its emissions, especially from the energy sector. In the post-Covid-19 economic recovery situation, Indonesia must find a way to get out of the economic crisis and at the same time overcome the climate crisis. Making an energy transition is a must if Indonesia is serious about ‘greening’ its economic recovery program.

 

In overseeing the process of Indonesia’s economic recovery, all levels of society need to participate in monitoring and voicing their opinions to ensure that the path taken by the government is the path that will lead Indonesia to a low-emissions economic recovery. It is important for Indonesia as a nation to carry out an economic recovery that takes into account the climate crisis because the crisis is the source of all future crises. The urgency of the climate crisis and low-emissions economic recovery needs to be conveyed to the public, one of which is through the mass media, so that people can ‘demand’ the government when the government does not choose a greener economic recovery path.

 

To help journalists provide comprehensive coverage of energy transition issues, the Clean, Affordable, and Secure Energy (CASE) for Southeast Asia program, IESR organizes training for journalists. This training includes material input on energy and energy transitions, as well as how to write coverage of energy transitions so that they can be better understood by the wider community. This program will take place in ten sessions lasting from September to October 2021, and will be attended by 20 selected journalists from various regions in Indonesia.

 

In his remarks, Fabby Tumiwa, executive director of IESR emphasized the importance of the media’s role in the energy transition process. “The community must be able to support, encourage, and voice their opinions to policy makers. This is where the media plays an important role in building community collective awareness so that Indonesia builds a greener economy,” said Fabby.

 

In the first session which took place on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, participants were introduced to the concept of energy and energy transition guided by three speakers from Agora Energiewende.

 

Tharinya Supasa, Project Lead Energy Policy South East Asia Agora Energiewende, stressed that it is important for all levels of society to understand the importance of the energy transition.

 

“Because energy is very close to us, from cooking, watching TV to working with computers or other electronic devices. So whatever happens in the energy sector will affect everyone’s life,” said Tharinya.

In the course of economic recovery after the Covid 19 pandemic, Indonesia is currently at a crossroads to choose the path of green economic recovery, or the path of economic recovery that produces high emissions. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the Indonesian economy hard, as can be seen from the negative economic growth we are experiencing. But on the other hand, Covid 19 opens an opportunity to change the direction of economic development to be greener and lower emissions. Based on the report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Assessment Report 6 (IPCC AR6), we are running out of time to keep the earth’s temperature rise within safe limits. As one of the countries with the largest economic growth in the world as well as the largest emitter in the world, Indonesia has a responsibility to reduce its emissions, especially from the energy sector. In the post-Covid-19 economic recovery situation, Indonesia must find a way to get out of the economic crisis and at the same time overcome the climate crisis. Making an energy transition is a must if Indonesia is serious about ‘greening’ its economic recovery program.

 

In overseeing the process of Indonesia’s economic recovery, all levels of society need to participate in monitoring and voicing their opinions to ensure that the path taken by the government is the path that will lead Indonesia to a low-emissions economic recovery. It is important for Indonesia as a nation to carry out an economic recovery that takes into account the climate crisis because the crisis is the source of all future crises. The urgency of the climate crisis and low-emissions economic recovery needs to be conveyed to the public, one of which is through the mass media, so that people can ‘demand’ the government when the government does not choose a greener economic recovery path.

 

To help journalists provide comprehensive coverage of energy transition issues, the Clean, Affordable, and Secure Energy (CASE) for Southeast Asia program, IESR organizes training for journalists. This training includes material input on energy and energy transitions, as well as how to write coverage of energy transitions so that they can be better understood by the wider community. This program will take place in ten sessions lasting from September to October 2021, and will be attended by 20 selected journalists from various regions in Indonesia.

 

In his remarks, Fabby Tumiwa, executive director of IESR emphasized the importance of the media’s role in the energy transition process. “The community must be able to support, encourage, and voice their opinions to policy makers. This is where the media plays an important role in building community collective awareness so that Indonesia builds a greener economy,” said Fabby.

 

In the first session which took place on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, participants were introduced to the concept of energy and energy transition guided by three speakers from Agora Energiewende.

 

Tharinya Supasa, Project Lead Energy Policy South East Asia Agora Energiewende, stressed that it is important for all levels of society to understand the importance of the energy transition.

 

“Because energy is very close to us, from cooking, watching TV to working with computers or other electronic devices. So whatever happens in the energy sector will affect everyone’s life,” said Tharinya.

JawaPos | IESR Dorong Pemanfaatan Batu Bara untuk Kebutuhan Domestik

20 Januari 2020, 18:23:46 WIB

JawaPos.com – Direktur Eksekutif Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), Fabby Tumiwa menyebutkan bahwa saat ini banyak negara yang berlomba-lomba untuk memanfaatkan cadangan batu bara. Pasalnya, saat ini sedang terjadi transisi dari pemanfaatan energi fosil menjadi energi terbarukan.

“Ada transisi dari fosil fuel ke renewable (atau) energi terbarukan. Negara-negara yang menjadi tujuan ekspor kita beberapa juga punya batu bara, seperti Tiongkok dan India. Negara-negara tersebut juga ingin memanfaatkan batu bara mereka karena mereka tahu waktu pemanfaatan batu bara itu tinggal sedikit,” jelasnya di Balai Kartini, Jakarta, Senin (20/1).

Ia menyebutkan bahwa saat ini, dua negara tersebut tengah melakukan pembatasan ekspor. Tentu mereka ingin memanfaatkan batu bara sebagai energi alternatif di luar gas ataupun liquid natural gas (LNG).

“Jadi, mereka mencoba memodifikasi sumber daya alam, makanya sekarang Tiongkok atau India mengurangi ekspornya. Ini akan menjadi tren baru menurut saya,” tuturnya.

Indonesia diketahui sebagai salah satu pemain batu bara terbesar di dunia. Pada 2019 lalu produksi yang dihasilkan lebih dari 400 juta ton. Padahal, produksi untuk batu bara telah dibatasi oleh Kementerian Energi dan Sumber Daya Mineral (ESDM).

“Paling tidak kita bisa melihat dan regulasi itu tidak konsisten, seperti rencana energi nasional itu dengan tegas mengatakan membatasi produksi batu bara 400 juta ton di 2019. Kenapa perlu dibatasi? karena dampak pertambangan itu sangat dahsyat,” terangnya.

Di sisi lain, ada negara-negara yang terus menggenjot ekspor batu bara. “Rusia yang melakukan ekspor di sejumlah bagian di Asia Selatan. Afrika Selatan dan Kolombia juga masuk ke pasar Asia. Artinya produk batu bara Indonesia menghadapi saingan di pasar-pasar yang didominasi oleh Indonesia,” katanya.

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Percepatan pengembangan energi baru dan terbarukan (EBT) terus dilakukan

Kamis, 16 Januari 2020 / 21:00 WIB

KONTAN.CO.ID – JAKARTA. Upaya percepatan pengembangan energi baru dan terbarukan (EBT) terus dilakukan. Salah satunya dengan penerbitan Peraturan Presiden (Perpres) feed in tariff untuk menentukan harga jual EBT berdasarkan biaya produksi energi terbarukan.

Sebelumnya, Kontan sempat mendapat draf Perpres harga penjualan PLTP, PLTA, PLTB, PLTS, PLTBg, PLTBm, dan PLTSa. Di dalam draf tersebut, harga listrik yang dijual perusahaan listrik swasta atau Independent Power Producer (IPP) kepada PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero) akan mengalami kenaikan dibandingkan saat ini.

Sebagai contoh, harga jual listrik dari PLTP swasta untuk kapasitas 1 megawatt (MW) hingga 10 MW dari tahun ke-1 sampai tahun ke-12 ditetapkan sebesar US$ 14,50 sen per kWh. Sedangkan harga jual listrik tersebut untuk tahun ke-13 sampai tahun ke-30 ditetapkan sebesar US$ 12,90 sen per kWh.

Hingga tulisan ini dimuat, Direktur Jenderal EBTKE Kementerian ESDM FX Sutijastoto belum bisa dimintai keterangan terkait draf Perpres Feed in Tariff EBT.

Sementara itu, Ketua Umum Masyarakat Energi Terbarukan Indonesia (METI) mengaku, draf Perpres Feed in Tariff EBT sebenarnya belum sampai tahap final, sehingga harga jual EBT yang ditetapkan dalam draf tersebut belum tentu sama nantinya.

METI dan beberapa pelaku usaha EBT pun masih akan mengadakan rapat bersama pemerintah. “Besok kami masih akan rapat. Ada beberapa hal yang masih harus didiskusikan,” ujar dia kepada Kontan.co.id, Kamis (16/1).

Terlepas dari itu, ia menyoroti skema harga staging yang diterapkan pada draf Perpres Feed in Tariff EBT. Dengan skema tersebut, harga jual listrik berbasis EBT terdiri dari dua periode. Di periode pertama, harga EBT ditetapkan lebih tinggi dari rata-rata. Kemudian harga EBT akan mengalami penurunan di periode kedua.

Durasi masing-masing periode bervariasi, tergantung dari masing-masing jenis sumber energi. “Harga EBT juga bisa saja ditetapkan di level yang tinggi di awal untuk mempercepat pengembalian investasi dari pihak pengembang,” terang Surya Darma.

Ambil contoh pada harga jual listrik dari PLTP swasta yang disebutkan tadi. Angka US$ 14,50 sen per kWh yang tertera tentu memiliki berbagai pertimbangan. Misalnya tingkat kesulitan dan teknologi yang dibutuhkan untuk membangun PLTP sehingga mempengaruhi nilai investasi proyek tersebut.

Selama ini, harga jual listrik PLTP merujuk pada Permen ESDM No. 50 Tahun 2017. Di sana tertulis harga pembelian listrik dari PLTP ditetapkan paling tinggi sebesar biaya pokok penyediaan (BPP) pembangkitan di sistem ketenagalistrikan setempat.

Direktur Eksekutif Institute for Essential Service Reform (IESR) Fabby Tumiwa menilai, dengan adanya skema harga staging, selama periode pengembalian pinjaman, maka pengembang EBT akan memperoleh harga jual yang lebih tinggi. Baru setelah itu, harga akan diturunkan.

Ia pun menganggap harga EBT di dua periode tersebut dapat memberikan pemerataan tarif dengan tingkat interal rate of return (IRR) yang menarik bagi para pengembang EBT. “Harga yang tinggi membuat arus kas pengembang tidak terganggu selama masa pembayaran utang,” ujar dia, hari ini.

Terlepas dari itu, Fabby berpendapat, jika Perpres Feed in Tariff dirancang dengan benar dan tarif EBT yang ditetapkan memberikan tingkat pengembalian IRR yang cukup, maka seharusnya tidak dibutuhkan lagi insentif lain untuk merangsang investasi di bidang EBT.

Adapun Direktur Eksekutif Asosiasi Produsen Listrik Swasta Indonesia (APLSI) Rizal Calvary menyampaikan, apapun skema penentuan harga EBT nantinya, ia berharap harga tersebut disesuaikan saja dengan nilai keekonomian proyek EBT. “Masing-masing proyek EBT punya keunikan dan dipengaruhi oleh beragam faktor,” tutur dia, Kamis (16/1).

Durasi masing-masing periode bervariasi, tergantung dari masing-masing jenis sumber energi. “Harga EBT juga bisa saja ditetapkan di level yang tinggi di awal untuk mempercepat pengembalian investasi dari pihak pengembang,” terang Surya Darma.

Ambil contoh pada harga jual listrik dari PLTP swasta yang disebutkan tadi. Angka US$ 14,50 sen per kWh yang tertera tentu memiliki berbagai pertimbangan. Misalnya tingkat kesulitan dan teknologi yang dibutuhkan untuk membangun PLTP sehingga mempengaruhi nilai investasi proyek tersebut.

Selama ini, harga jual listrik PLTP merujuk pada Permen ESDM No. 50 Tahun 2017. Di sana tertulis harga pembelian listrik dari PLTP ditetapkan paling tinggi sebesar biaya pokok penyediaan (BPP) pembangkitan di sistem ketenagalistrikan setempat.

Direktur Eksekutif Institute for Essential Service Reform (IESR) Fabby Tumiwa menilai, dengan adanya skema harga staging, selama periode pengembalian pinjaman, maka pengembang EBT akan memperoleh harga jual yang lebih tinggi. Baru setelah itu, harga akan diturunkan.

Ia pun menganggap harga EBT di dua periode tersebut dapat memberikan pemerataan tarif dengan tingkat interal rate of return (IRR) yang menarik bagi para pengembang EBT. “Harga yang tinggi membuat arus kas pengembang tidak terganggu selama masa pembayaran utang,” ujar dia, hari ini.

Terlepas dari itu, Fabby berpendapat, jika Perpres Feed in Tariff dirancang dengan benar dan tarif EBT yang ditetapkan memberikan tingkat pengembalian IRR yang cukup, maka seharusnya tidak dibutuhkan lagi insentif lain untuk merangsang investasi di bidang EBT.

Adapun Direktur Eksekutif Asosiasi Produsen Listrik Swasta Indonesia (APLSI) Rizal Calvary menyampaikan, apapun skema penentuan harga EBT nantinya, ia berharap harga tersebut disesuaikan saja dengan nilai keekonomian proyek EBT. “Masing-masing proyek EBT punya keunikan dan dipengaruhi oleh beragam faktor,” tutur dia, Kamis (16/1).

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Indonesia’s Ahok bags top job at state energy giant Pertamina – is a return to politics next?

23 November 2019//9.00

Former Jakarta governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, best known as Ahok, has been named the new president commissioner of Indonesian state energy giant PT Pertamina, sparking speculation of a return to politics following his jailing in 2017 for blasphemy.

The Christian and ethnic Chinese politician, who was released in January after serving a controversial two-year term behind bars for insulting Islam, was officially awarded the position on Friday following days of rumour among Indonesia’s political elite.

He will replace outgoing president commissioner Tanri Abeng.

The appointment was met with mixed reaction among economists and analysts in Jakarta. Some praised the move, saying it would help weed out corruption at Pertamina, which as of March had assets worth at least US$65 billion.

“I think if Ahok is going to fit into a state-owned enterprise, he is going to be the top man, since I can’t see him working well with someone over him,” said Keith Loveard, an analyst at Concord Consulting. “[But it might be] difficult at one of the really big firms like Pertamina where a degree of industry knowledge is helpful.

“He has experience in managing a large organisation and has demonstrated his capacity for searching out inefficiency and corruption. As long as he doesn’t get too opinionated – and we all know he has a habit of speaking out a lot – he is going to be a credit to the organisation.”

Ahok was first floated as a likely pick for the position earlier this month, and since then Indonesian media have responded positively.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo, himself a former governor of Jakarta until he handed the position to Ahok in 2014, has recently praised his record. “We know [the quality] of his work,” he said last Saturday, referring to Ahok’s performance as vice-governor between 2012 and 2014.

Ahok became the head of the capital by default in October 2014 when Widodo became president, and he served until 2017, building a reputation as a straight talker who was keen to cut red tape.

Gunarto Myrdal, an economist at Bank Maybank Indonesia in Jakarta, said Ahok had shown professionalism and integrity in the past, and was qualified for the position.

“A key figure like him would be fit to be a leader or executive at a strategic enterprise such as Pertamina or [electricity provider] Perusahaan Listrik Negara,” he said.

Ahok’s blasphemy conviction was the result of a comment he made while campaigning for re-election as Jakarta governor. He did not appeal against the sentence and opted to serve the term at a prison in Depok just outside the capital. He subsequently lost the election.

Born in Manggar in East Belitung island, he is a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI), which is Widodo’s political vehicle and the party with the most seats in the Indonesian legislature. The organisation is chaired by Megawati Sukarnoputri, daughter of late president Sukarno.

Ahok’s return to public life has sparked talk in recent days of a possible political comeback, but Loveard poured cold water on that idea.

“No, I don’t think that will happen. There has been a degree of protest even over a job for him in a state-owned enterprise, and I don’t believe any political party would want to take the risk of stirring up the hornets’ nest once more.”

Mohamad Qodari, an analyst and executive director of political consulting firm Indo Barometer, said Ahok’s political future had been terminated as he was now perceived in a negative light by many Indonesians, especially Muslims.

“I don’t see Ahok having a chance of returning to the political arena if you define political life as running for mayor or regent, for example. His name is now negative to the public due to his straight-talking behaviour.”

Fabby Tumiwa, executive director of the Institute for Essential Service Reform, said Ahok’s appointment raised concerns about the lack of clear procedures and criteria for talent scouting at state enterprises, especially at the policy decision level.

“I have not seen President Widodo announce anything on the criteria for picking executives,” Fabby said.

Rini Soemarno, the former cabinet minister previously in charge of state enterprises, had failed to implement proper mechanisms for hiring and firing, Fabby added, and executives at Pertamina had been appointed in a process seen as fishy. “Not to mention that state enterprises have been cash cows for political elites and bureaucrats,” he said.

Corporate organisational structure in Indonesia differs from that in many other countries. Indonesian firms have a board of commissioners chaired by a president commissioner. The board supervises management policies and advises the company’s board of directors, which is responsible for daily management and operations. The CEO, referred to as the president director in Indonesia, chairs the board of directors.

Erick Thohir, who took over as the minister for state enterprises this month, did not respond to requests for comment. Neither did his two vice-ministers, Budi Gunadi Sadikin and Kartika Wirjoatmodjo.

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Solar Langka, Pengusaha Angkutan Tekor Rp800 Juta

Sabtu, 16 November 2019//10:35

FAJAR.CO.ID,SURABAYA– Dampak sulitnya mencari solar bersubsidi kian meluas. Di Surabaya, misalnya, banyak angkutan yang telat masuk Pelabuhan Tanjung Perak gara-gara bahan bakar langka. Banyaknya truk yang ketinggalan kapal menghambat arus pengiriman barang.

Ketua Organda Khusus Pelabuhan Tanjung Perak Kody Lamahayu menjelaskan, ada beberapa jenis barang yang pengirimannya sedikit terlambat. Contohnya sembako, besi, dan kayu. ”Kebanyakan diangkut ke Kalimantan dan Sulawesi,” katanya.

Kelangkaan solar, menurut Kody, membuat pengusaha angkutan yang beroperasi di kawasan pelabuhan kelimpungan. Sebagian terpaksa meliburkan armadanya. Mereka mengaku tidak mampu membeli bahan bakar jenis dexlite yang lebih mahal dua kali lipat. ”Pekan depan kami akan rapat. Jika masih langka, kami akan berhenti beroperasi,” ucap Kody. Dia mengungkapkan, banyak pemilik angkutan yang kena tegur pengguna jasa gara-gara barang yang dikirimnya molor.

Ketua DPC Asosiasi Pengusaha Truk Indonesia (Aptrindo) Surabaya Putra Lingga membeberkan, dalam sehari truk bisa mengangkut barang dua kali. Setelah solar langka, kendaraan hanya bisa sekali melakukan perjalanan.

”Ruginya rata-rata Rp 500 ribu sehari,” katanya. Menurut Putra, saat ini ada 1.600 anggota Aptrindo Surabaya. Jika dijumlahkan, total kerugian mencapai Rp 800 juta dalam sehari. ”Namun, perlu ditegaskan, saat ini kami masih memutuskan untuk jalan. Tidak ada stop operasi,” tambah dia.

Hal senada diungkapkan Sekjen Aptrindo Jatim Eddo Adrian Wijaya. Dia mengaku tidak pernah diberi perincian mengenai berapa solar yang bisa didistribusikan hingga akhir tahun. Karena tidak ada sosialisasi, sebagian besar pengusaha menolak pembatasan solar. Ketika saat ini stok solar menipis, mereka ingin ada komunikasi yang transparan, baik dari pemerintah maupun Pertamina.

”Karena kami ini, mau enggak mau, harus menaikkan tarif pengiriman barang 40 sampai 60 persen. Harga dexlite kan mahal lebih dari 100 persennya solar,” ujarnya. Padahal, rata-rata klien menolak kenaikan tarif tersebut. Sementara pengusaha truk tidak memiliki solusi lain selain menaikkan tarif pengiriman barang.

Eddo mengingatkan pemerintah agar memikirkan risiko inflasi yang timbul akibat menipisnya persediaan solar. Sebab, banyak pengiriman logistik yang tertunda, pembayaran sopir yang lebih mahal, dan pengeluaran untuk membeli dexlite yang membuat pengusaha tekor. Pengiriman barang untuk ekspor juga tertunda.

Akibatnya, harga barang semakin mahal. ”Ya artinya tidak hanya pengaruh ke kenaikan harga barang untuk domestik, tapi barang yang mau diekspor juga jadi lebih mahal. Belum lagi pengiriman barang ke luar negeri terlambat. Nanti bisa inflasi dan barang ekspor kita tidak bisa bersaing di pasaran,” jelasnya.

Akibat Pengurangan Kuota

Kosongnya stok solar bersubsidi di SPBU-SPBU telah menghambat aktivitas masyarakat dan pelaku bisnis. Kelangkaan solar tersebut ditengarai sebagai buntut lebih rendahnya kuota solar bersubsidi tahun ini jika dibandingkan dengan tahun lalu. Ditambah dugaan tidak optimalnya kontrol konsumsi dan distribusi.

”Hampir bisa diprediksi (kelangkaan solar, Red). Memang kuota tahun ini lebih rendah daripada tahun lalu. Padahal, seharusnya kuota tahun ini ditambah karena asumsi pertumbuhan ekonomi masih di atas 5 persen,” ujar Wakil Ketua Umum Asosiasi Pengusaha Truk Indonesia (Aptrindo) Kyatmaja Lookman kepada Jawa Pos kemarin (15/11).

Petugas SPBU Gunung Gedangan, Kota Mojokerto, bersantai karena stok solar kosong. (Sofan Kurniawan/Jawa Pos Radar Mojokerto)
Mengenai alasan lebih rendahnya kuota tahun ini daripada tahun lalu, Kyatmaja yang sebelumnya berdiskusi dengan Badan Pengatur Hilir Minyak dan Gas Bumi (BPH Migas) menyatakan bahwa anggaran 2019 tidak mencukupi. Karena itu, kuota solar bersubsidi diturunkan dari 15,6 juta kiloliter tahun lalu menjadi 14,5 juta kiloliter tahun ini.

”Angka tersebut sedari awal sudah disinyalir kurang. Kami mengkhawatirkan November dan Desember tersendat. Ternyata, benar-benar terjadi di lapangan,” ungkapnya.

Di samping masalah kuota tersebut, Kyat menyoroti kontrol distribusi dan konsumsi solar bersubsidi di lapangan. Pada kesempatan sebelumnya, Pertamina sempat menyinggung solar bersubsidi yang tidak tepat sasaran. Dia berpendapat, memang ada berbagai kejanggalan di sejumlah titik kelangkaan solar.

”Pertamina pernah membeberkan bahwa ada dua daerah yang konsumsi solar subsidinya lebih tinggi daripada Pulau Jawa. Yaitu, Riau dan Kaltim. Ini kan aneh,” katanya.

Sebab, jumlah penduduk Jawa jauh lebih besar jika dibandingkan dengan Riau dan Kaltim. Selain itu, dua daerah tersebut didominasi sektor CPO (crude palm oil) dan pertambangan yang armada truknya tidak boleh menggunakan solar bersubsidi.

Secara regulasi, memang ada kendaraan-kendaraan yang dibatasi untuk menggunakan solar bersubsidi. Antara lain, kendaraan pengangkut hasil perkebunan (perkebunan besar), kehutanan, dan pertambangan dengan roda lebih dari enam, baik dalam kondisi bermuatan maupun kosong. Selanjutnya, larangan penggunaan solar bersubsidi juga diberlakukan pada mobil tangki BBM, CPO, dump truck, truk trailer, serta truk molen (pengangkut semen).

Aptrindo sudah mendapat laporan dari anggota di tiga daerah yang mengeluhkan kesulitan mendapatkan solar. Tiga daerah yang dimaksud adalah Banten, Surabaya, dan Jambi. Menurut Kyat, tak ada pilihan selain menunggu distribusi kembali normal. Pihaknya kini menginventarisasi daerah mana saja yang kesulitan solar untuk kemudian dilaporkan ke pemerintah pusat.

Di pihak lain, Direktur Eksekutif Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) Fabby Tumiwa menduga kelangkaan itu memang terjadi by design. Pertamina sengaja mengendalikan volume distribusi. Terutama untuk solar. ”Solar disubsidi dengan kuota tertentu. Saya duga kuotanya sudah mau habis. Jadi, peredarannya harus dikendalikan supaya subsidinya tidak membengkak,” ulasnya.

Dalam subsidi tersebut, Pertamina memiliki perhitungan soal interval kuota yang harus diberikan. Sementara saat ini kuota itu diduga sudah melebihi ambang batas. ”Makanya dikendalikan. Terlebih, akhir tahun kan masih 1,5 bulan lagi,” ucapnya.

Karena dikhawatirkan bikin rugi dan berpengaruh ke keuangan internal, diambil langkah tersebut. Dengan begitu, diharapkan pengguna beralih ke Pertamina dex atau lainnya yang harganya lebih mahal.

Sementara itu, Pertamina tak memberikan jawaban saat dimintai konfirmasi oleh Jawa Pos. VP Corporate Communications Pertamina Fajriyah Usman hanya memberikan keterangan resmi yang berisi pernyataan bahwa Pertamina akan memastikan ketersediaan solar bersubsidi di SPBU untuk mencukupi kebutuhan konsumen.

”Untuk menjaga keandalan distribusi ke masyarakat, Pertamina menambah sekitar 20 persen suplai solar untuk memastikan pemerataan penyaluran dan percepatan distribusi,” ujar Fajriyah kemarin. (JPC)

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