Jakarta, 12 January 2023- Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resource (MEMR) decides to repeal the proposed power wheeling scheme from the issues inventory list (DIM) of the New and Renewable Energy Bill (NERE Bill) that was submitted to the House of Representatives (DPR) in December 2022. Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) regrets such decision and implores the government and the House of Representatives to include renewable power wheeling in the RUU EBET review.

The power wheeling scheme is the joint utilization of the electricity network. Through this scheme, independent power producers (IPP)  could sell electricity directly to the public using the transmission and distribution network owned by the State Electricity Company (PLN). IESR views that power wheeling could increase the demand and supply of renewable energy by the public, thus accelerating the growth of renewable energy and reducing PLN’s burden in providing renewable energy.

“The joint utilization of electricity network or power wheeling will provide easier access for consumers to get renewable energy supply with a competitive price. This could then foster the interest to develop existing renewable energy sources, and not depend on PLN as the off-taker. Renewable energy power wheeling could also increase the utilization rate of PLN’s energy network, providing a new source of income for the company,” said Fabby Tumiwa, the Executive Director of the Institute for Essential Services Reform.

Fabby views the power wheeling scheme as a consequence of Indonesia’s electricity system, with PLN monopolizing rights for transmission network control. Through the power wheeling scheme, electricity networks could be used communally and allow renewable energy Independent Power Producers (IPP) to sell directly to the consumers using transmission and distribution networks belonging to PLN. 

Fabby adds that the Ministry of Finance’s assessment of power oversupply as the main reason for repealing power wheeling is inaccurate. The oversupply is mostly dominated by fossil energy, hence hindering the clean energy mix target. Fabby also explained that the oversupply situation is predicted not to last long, and could end as soon as 2025, supported by the gradual increase of power demand post-pandemic.

“EBET Bill, if passed, will be implemented for a long time and could even surpass the current oversupply situation. The government needs to push for renewable energy adoption quickly, especially if they plan to retire coal power plants by 2030. In the future, power wheeling could be one of the revenue sources for PLN, by leasing electric networks,” added Fabby.

Furthermore, Deon Arinaldo, Program Manager of Energy Transformation IESR, explains that it’s too premature to worry about the state and PLN’s loss if power wheeling is implemented. Deon added that if the power wheeling scheme is back in the EBET Bill, the law would still need to be expounded, and the points could then be used to manage the potential risks to PLN and the state.

“For example, in setting power wheeling tariffs, the government can manage the price based on comprehensive studies so it can balance between renewable energy development targets with the risk of decreasing electricity demand. On the other side, PLN could still also take part in the power wheeling scheme through its sub-holding generation company,” said Deon.***