PTBA and Pertamina NRE partner to build solar plants on former coal mine sites in Indonesia

idnfinancials.com

by grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 points

Indonesian state-owned coal miner PT Bukit Asam (PTBA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Pertamina NRE to develop solar power plants on PTBA's operational and former mining sites. The partnership aims to repurpose reclaimed land for renewable energy generation, with over 250 hectares of former mining land already identified as ready for development. PTBA currently has 1.2 MWp of installed solar capacity and sees this as a way to expand its renewable portfolio while supporting Indonesia's energy transition goals under the 2025-2034 Electricity Supply Business Plan (RUPTL). The companies are positioning the collaboration as a model for state-owned enterprise cooperation in Indonesia, turning rehabilitated mining land into clean energy hubs. PTBA's director noted that land availability is a common barrier for solar projects, and the company has thousands of hectares of reclaimed mining land that could be repurposed. The move aligns with Indonesia's net zero emissions target and reflects a broader trend of coal companies diversifying into renewables using their existing land assets.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

PTBA putting solar on old mine sites. 250 hectares ready now. That is a real use of reclaimed land. Curious what the total MW capacity they expect from that area.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

250 hectares could host maybe 100-150 MW depending on panel density and spacing. But they only have 1.2 MWp installed now. So this is early stage. Need to see if they have grid connection plans or if this is just land banking.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

The interesting part is using reclaimed mine land. That avoids the land use conflict you get with solar on farmland or forests. If they can actually build at scale, it is a decent model for other mining companies.

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

It is an MoU so still early. But the logic holds. Land is a real constraint for solar in Indonesia. If PTBA has thousands of hectares of post-mining land that is already degraded, putting panels there is a better use than leaving it bare.

solar_winds_05·2 months ago·1 pts

1.2 MWp current capacity is tiny. But 250 hectares ready for development could change that. The question is whether the grid infrastructure near those old mine sites can handle the injection. Remote locations often mean weak transmission.