Image source: PLN

Indonesian state-owned business PT PLN, through its subsidiary PLN Nusantara Power, debuted the country's first green hydrogen plant in the Muara Karang Steam Gas Power Plant area of Pluit, Jakarta, on Monday, October 10, 2023.  

According to a press release issued by the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, the facility is designed to create around 51 tons of hydrogen annually using 2,795 MWh of solar-powered electricity and through the purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates from the Kamojang Geothermal Power Plant.  

The Director General of New, Renewable Energy, and Energy Conservation of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Yudo Dwinanda Priaadi, explained that green hydrogen was an alternative fuel for the future, and the Indonesian government was committed to developing the energy source with further comprehensive studies and policy formulation.  

"In the future, development must continue to be carried out, such as by building storage. The need for green hydrogen will continue to grow," Mr. Priaadi said, as quoted from the press release.  

The main director of PT PLN, Darmawan Prasodjo, explained that the company will continue to develop green hydrogen so that it can become an alternative energy.  

"In the future, we will develop the existing green hydrogen plant in our other power plants, especially similar ones, so that production can be even greater," Mr. Prasodjo said.  

Green hydrogen is a clean energy source that only emits water vapor and does not leave residue in the air or increase greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, technology is said to be one of the main pillars in the energy transition to achieve the Indonesian Net Zero Emissions (NZE) target by 2060.  

This year, the government, through the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, is finalizing a national hydrogen roadmap. This road map will elaborate on the requirements for an environment that supports the adoption of hydrogen consumption, production chains, and distribution schemes in Indonesia. 

Through PLN's accelerated steps in making the country’s first green hydrogen plant, it is perceived as support for the upcoming national hydrogen strategy roadmap by the ministry.