PT Indo Tambangraya Megah Tbk. (ITM) expressed its commitment to support the Government's energy transition mission at the Indonesian Pavilion during the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 27) which took place from 6 to 18 November 2022 in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt.
In a talk show entitled Co-firing Option on the Emission Reduction and Electricity Generation, which was attended by the Deputy for Environmental and Forestry Management of the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs and Investment Nani Hendiarti, and some energy company leaders, Mr. Ignatius Wurwanto, ITM Director of Sustainability and Risk Management, conveyed the Company's commitment which is manifested through a pilot project for the utilization of biomass, and its future development plans.
In the talk show which provided space for company leaders to share aspirations, experiences, and best practices in energy transition, Pak Wurwantowanto explained ITM's strategic steps in reducing carbon emissions from company operations through the co-firing scheme at PLTU power plants operating in the IMM operation area, in Bontang City, East Kalimantan.
“ITM has taken steps to slowly reduce coal as a fuel and replace it with wood-based biomass at the PLTU that supports PT Indominco Mandiri's operations in Bontang. This is certainly not an easy job, but we have started and will continue to increase the proportion of biomass in the PLTU. I thank the Coordinating Ministry for Marine Affairs and Fisheries and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) for entrusting this pilot project of biomass co-firing to ITM," said Pak Wurwanto in his presentation.
Since early 2022, the 7 MW PLTU that supports IMM's operations has used wood chips as a biomass agent to replace coal. “ITM has done many things to realize its commitment to environmental conservation including reclamation, rehabilitation, and revegetation. Until 2022, we have planted trees for watershed and post-mining rehabilitation on a total area of more than 20,000 hectares. This pilot project and preparations for the development of wood-based biomass reinforce ITM’s commitment that as a coal mining company, we have the responsibility, accountability, and ability to contribute to sustainability," Pak Wurwanto concluded.