Endikat River Water Power Makes Lights No Longer Byarpet
Not only accessibility, but the quality of electricity has also improved with the presence of mini hydro plants.
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The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Tenaga Air Sungai Endikat Bikin Lampu Tak Lagi Byarpet
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Participants in the South Sumatra Energy Exploration organized by the Institute for Essential Services Reform observe the penstock pipe at the Green Lahat Minihydro Power Plant (PLTM) in Singapure Village, Kota Agung District, Lahat Regency, South Sumatra, Wednesday (28/ 1/2024). The PLTM has a capacity of 3 x 3.3 megawatts.
Mini-hydro power plants have become the main source of electricity supply in several regions, especially those not connected to PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero) grid. In addition to accessibility, the quality of electricity has also improved and power outages are no longer a frequent occurrence. As a result, economic activities in the area have been boosted.
Accompanied by the light sound of rain, Indra Hartono (62) and Muslinsa (55) were busy talking on the terrace of one of the houses in Lubuk Buntak Village, South Dempo District, Pagaralam City, South Sumatra, Wednesday (28/2/2024) afternoon. At least for the last five years, they have spent the day in peace because there have almost never been any long-duration power outages.
“Previously, the lights could go out 2-3 nights a week. Work in my car repair shop is often incomplete. So, it's not quiet to chat late in the afternoon. Now, it's not like that anymore. "Even if there is a power outage, it's only for a moment, maybe there will be improvements," he said when met by participants of the South Sumatra Energy Exploration held by the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR).
As the owner of a car repair shop, electricity is very important, especially for operating various equipment. Previously, the car repair work that he did had to be postponed every time there was a power outage. He chose not to use a generator because the electricity supply was often unstable.
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This improvement in conditions cannot be separated from the presence of the Green Lahat Minihydro Power Plant (PLTM) in Singapure Village, Kota Agung District, Lahat Regency, since 2015 which utilizes the current of the Endikat River. Even though it is located in the Lahat area which borders Pagaralam, the majority of the beneficiaries of the PLTM with a capacity of 3 x 3.3 megawatts (MW) are Pagaralam residents. Their electricity supply is now more stable.
Muslinsa is grateful that electricity now illuminates the homes of citizens in a more stable manner. "There are no more long or frequent blackouts that cause a lot of disruptions. Work cannot be finished, young children cry, and so on. Not to mention having to always provide candles. If we use a generator continuously, the cost of solar power is quite substantial," she said.
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According to him, electricity first entered his area in 1994. Since then, the economic activities of the people have increased despite being suboptimal due to frequent power outages. Currently, even when there are power outages, it is usually due to incidents that disrupt the network and only lasts briefly.
Now, he hopes that electricity in Pagaralam becomes more stable. Moreover, recently PLTM Endikat has also been operating adjacent to PLTM Green Lahat. "We want electricity to remain on continuously so that the community becomes even more productive," said Muslinsa.
Distributed by PLN
The electricity produced by Green Lahat PLTM is still sold to PLN. After that, the distribution of electricity to residential homes is carried out by PLN. Previously, voltage was often unstable due to several areas in Lahat or Pagaralam being quite far or located at the "edge" of the main substation, resulting in a decrease in voltage.
Currently, even if there is a blackout, it is usually caused by incidents that disrupt the network and only lasts for a short time.
Next to the Green Lahat PLTM, Endikat PLTM has also been built (both under the parent company PT Manggala Gita Karya) with a capacity of 3 x 2.67 MW which will operate in 2022. Both are private electricity producers (independent power producers/IPP) utilizes the flow of the Endikat River to produce electrical energy which is sold to PLN for later use by the community.
The Plant Manager of PLTM Green Lahat, Kastiono, stated that prior to the construction of the power plant, the local residents around the area, both those within the territory of Kota Pagaralam and Lahat Regency, often experienced a decrease in voltage. The poor quality of electricity is influenced, among other factors, by the location being too far from the main substation, resulting in unstable voltage.
Therefore, the presence of Green Lahat hydropower plant in the area that previously suffered recurring voltage drops has had a positive impact on the local residents. The community's activities are relatively undisturbed, and the electronic equipment of the residents lasts longer. Additionally, power outages that last for a long time are no longer experienced by the residents.
The 9.9 MW electricity produced by the Green Lahat PLTM is indeed regulated by PLN in terms of distribution to the public. "Through PLN, around 70 percent of our generator is transferred to Pagaralam and 30 percent to Lahat," said Kastiono.
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Turbine in the power house at the Green Lahat Minihydro Power Plant (PLTM) in Singapure Village, Kota Agung District, Lahat, South Sumatra, Wednesday (28/1/2024). The PLTM has a capacity of 3 x 3.3 MW.
He added that one of the challenges faced by PLTM is the occurrence of flash floods. "During floods, it is impossible for us to produce because of the high sedimentation, so we have to stop production for cleaning at the upstream dam. The duration depends on the amount of sedimentation material, it can take one day, three days, or even a week. If there is a flash flood, the sedimentation can reach up to 20,000 cubic meters," explained Kastiono.
In 2023, there was a flash flood that caused a 5-7% decrease in the electricity production of PLTM Green Lahat. However, it is said that since the end of last year, the electricity production has started to stabilize.
He admits that electricity production from the Green Lahat Hydroelectric Power Plant depends on the conditions around the upstream river. "The main thing is reforestation at the upstream. Everything needs to be controlled and there should be no illegal logging, but the authority to maintain forest cover in the watershed area involves other agencies," he said.
Advantages and disadvantages
Subnational Coordinator of the IESR Sustainable Energy Access Program, Rizqi Prasetyo, said that hydro power plants in Indonesia have sufficient potential to be developed. This is because the geography and topography of parts of Indonesia which have high contours allow for river flows and river waterfalls. This can be used to produce electricity.
Based on the results of the IESR study, Indonesia has a potential for PLTM or PLTMh (microhydro) of 27.8 gigawatts (GW). Of this amount, 287.7 MW is in South Sumatra. Apart from being able to increase the renewable energy mix in PLN's electricity, PLTM can improve the quality of energy access for communities that may not yet be reached by the PLN network.
"There are advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is, if PLN has not yet entered, it can increase energy access or improve its quality (voltage becomes stable). However, the downside is that hydro is usually located in a remote area (far from residential areas). "On the other hand, the water catchment area must also be maintained in relation to the land cover above it," he said.
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The Head of the Renewable Energy Division at the South Sumatra Energy and Mineral Resources Agency, Dewi Yusmarni, stated that the installed capacity of hydro/water energy generators (PLTM and PLTMh) in South Sumatra is 21.96 MW, which is below the potential of 448 MW. She also encourages the development of hydro power usage to increase the contribution of renewable energy in South Sumatra.
In the plan of developing various renewable energy sources in South Sumatra, it is planned to build the Kenali PLTM in Ogan Komering Ulu Selatan Regency. The developer of PLTM is PT Midigio and currently the process is still in the construction stage.
As one of the potential renewable energy sources, PLTM or PLTMh can be a solution especially in areas that are not optimally supplied with electricity from PLN. However, the use of water energy also needs to pay attention to and ensure ecological balance. Preserving land cover or water absorption areas is crucial in producing electricity while also nurturing the environment.
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