Sumatra June 5, 2025 || The Bright Sumatra Consortium for Clean Energy (STuEB) assessed that the Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL) document of PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) for 2025-2034 published by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) on May 26, 2025, strongly reflects the ministry's negligence in implementing the energy transition program.

In the RUPTL document, Sumatra Island is still the center for the construction of coal-fired steam power plants (PLTU) with a capacity of 3.3 Giga Watts (GW) out of the 6.3 GW of coal-fired PLTUs that will be newly built in Indonesia.

This is considered contrary to the principles of Indonesia's energy transition. Where Indonesia is trying to reach a maximum peak of electricity sector emissions in 2030, as well as a commitment to achieve Net Zero Emission (NZE) no later than 2060. In the medium term, Indonesia is targeting the portion of new and renewable energy (EBT) to reach 23% in the national energy mix in 2025 and increase to 34% in the electricity generation mix in 2030.

Ali Akbar as the STuEB Consolidator, from Bengkulu explained that this is a government strategy to extend the life of the use of dirty coal energy while also proving that power in this country is supported by coal rulers.

"While we (STuEB), in the last eight years have called for early retirement of coal-fired power plants in Indonesia with a capacity of 6.2 GW, until now it has not been realized. While at the same time a new coal-fired power plant will be built, this is a form of ESDM's negligence," said Ali.

In commemorating World Environment Day 2025, he said it is important for all parties to realize that air, water and land pollution due to coal-fired power plant operations is deadly pollution.

Rahmad Syukur as the Director of Apel Greend Aceh explained that the construction of a new coal-fired power plant in Aceh is a violation of human rights (HAM), the right to clean air, fertile land, healthy seas, and a decent future. The people of Aceh, according to him, have been suffering from air pollution, land degradation, conflicts over living space, and health threats due to coal industry activities for too long.

"When the government talks about energy transition, but still makes Aceh a base for coal expansion, then that is not a transition, that is a structural crime against the people of Aceh and its nature," said Syukur.

Sumiati Surbakti, Director of Srikandi Lestari in North Sumatra explained that currently the Pangkalan Susu PLTU is a symbol of contradiction in the implementation of the energy transition in Indonesia. Amidst the global commitment to decarbonization and the mandate of the RUPTL which should prioritize renewable energy, the sustainability of operations and even the potential expansion of this coal-fired PLTU reflects a serious inconsistency in the policies of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

"RUPTL actually becomes a reflection of the past when the construction and operation of PLTU such as Pangkalan Susu are maintained, even though the energy sector is responsible for most of the national carbon emissions. This policy not only weakens Indonesia's credibility in the eyes of the international community, but also hinders the transformation of the energy system towards a cleaner, more sustainable, and more equitable direction," he said.

Wilton Panggaben from LBH Pekan Baru explained that the latest RUPTL document of PT PLN (Persero) concluded that the government has never been serious about reducing the rate of carbon emissions by continuing to add coal-fired power plants. According to him, the ideal of energy self-sufficiency initiated by the Prabowo Subianto government is just a ruse to exploit the environment recklessly.

"For that reason, right on World Environment Day today, we are filing a complaint to the Ministry of Environment regarding the dumping of FABA waste in the residential area of ​​Tenayan Raya District, which has reached a height of 15 meters, resulting in residential areas being buried by landslides, plants, plantations, and fish ponds being damaged and the waste entering residents' homes," he explained.

Meanwhile, Diki Rafiki, Director of LBH Padang explained that the construction of a new PLTU on Sumatra Island is not only an environmental issue, but also a violation of human rights and when the government talks about energy transition, but still makes Sumatra a center for coal mining and burning, then that is not a transition, but rather a structural crime against the people and the environment.

Director of the Clean South Sumatra Association, Boni Bangen explained that currently South Sumatra Province has an electricity surplus of 2,207.08 MW with 16 existing PLTUs, one of which is PLTU Sumsel 8 in Muara Enim Regency with a capacity of 2 x 620 MW. On the other hand, the achievement of the renewable energy mix in South Sumatra Province currently reaches 24.18 MW, the government should encourage early retirement of PLTUs as much as the renewable energy mix, not adding new PLTUs.

"The energy transition is just a joke by the government, where the main thing is not the safety of the people but royalties and profit sharing funds from the mineral and coal sector," he said.

Melia Satry, as the Campaign Manager of the Anak Padi Foundation in Lahat, explained that Merapi District, Lahat Regency, South Sumatra, is already covered in very severe pollution.

"We are short of breath inhaling pollution from coal-fired power plants and coal transportation in Lahat. The addition of new coal-fired power plants will not only torture us, but will want us dead," he said.

Deri Sopian, Campaign Manager of the Jambi Three Brothers Institute, explained that the losses of Jambi Province due to the coal extractive industry are very significant, ranging from financial, environmental, and social losses. The estimated state losses due to ecosystem damage and ecological crimes in Jambi reached more than IDR 17 trillion.

"This industry causes ecosystem damage, flooding, water and air pollution, as well as negative impacts on public health and social change. The impact of the Semaran PLTU PT. Permata Prima Elektrindo pollutes the Ale and Tembesi Rivers where the FABA waste disposal location is in a flood-prone area," he said.

Even the Muaro Jambi Temple Cultural Heritage site is surrounded by coal stockpiles located in the core zone of the cultural heritage. The existence of this stockpile pollutes the environment around the temple and the Batanghari River. With the planned construction of PLTU-MT Jambi 1 and 2 with a capacity of 1,200 MW, it is certain that it will worsen environmental conditions and financial losses in Jambi.

Meanwhile, Prabowo Pamungkas, Head of Advocacy Division of LBH Lampung explained that the Sebalang coal-fired power plant and the Tarahan coal-fired power plant in Lampung have caused significant environmental impacts. Residents of Sebalang Hamlet, Tarahan Village, complained about coal ash pollution that polluted settlements and had an impact on health, especially children.

In addition, the discharge of boiler washing waste into the sea by the Sebalang PLTU is also suspected of threatening coastal ecosystems and reducing fishermen's fish catches.

"This situation reflects that coal-fired power plants do not consider ecological justice for the environment and society in their operations, so the principle of "polluter pays" must be enforced, ensuring that polluters are responsible for the impacts they cause. Law enforcement against environmental violations by coal-fired power plants in Lampung is an important step in realizing ecological justice and protecting public health," he said.                                                                          

This World Environment Day should have been the umpteenth momentum for Indonesia to lead a just and sustainable energy transition. This RUPTL has destroyed this momentum.