Mitsubishi Heavy, PLN to decarbonise power plants in Indonesia

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and PLN Nusantara Power, a unit of Indonesia’s state-owned utility PLN, will conduct studies related to co-firing of less carbon-intensive fuels at the latter’s power plants, MHI said on March 24.

The two parties will conduct three studies with support from Mitsubishi Power, MHI’s power solutions brand, according to the MoU signed between PLN Nusantara Power and MHI. “This MoU follows a similar agreement concluded with PLN Group company PLN Indonesia Power in November 2022, and will further aid in the advancement of solutions to accelerate the decarbonisation of energy systems in Indonesia,” MHI said.

A pair of studies to be conducted at the Muara Karang power plant, located on Java approximately 10 km from the capital city of Jakarta, will examine the potential for introducing hydrogen co-firing for an M701F series turbine currently in operation, and ammonia co-firing in a gas-fired boiler. MHI has supplied principal equipment in the power station, including several gas turbines, boilers, and steam turbines.

A study at the Paiton coal-fired power plant, also located on Java and owned by Nusantara Power, will evaluate the technical aspects of the feasibility of biomass co-firing.

The signing of this MoU was announced at the Asia Zero Emission Community Public-Private Investment Forum held on March 3 in Tokyo by Japan’s ministry of economy, trade and industry (METI).