For subscribers
Coal power plant tests Indonesia's commitment to fight climate change
Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developments
The construction site of the Jawa 9 & 10 power plant in Banten province, west of Jakarta.
PHOTO: MELVINAS PRIANANDA/MARKET FORCES
David Fogarty and Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja, Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja, David Fogarty
SINGAPORE/JAKARTA - A consortium led by Indonesia's state electricity firm PLN is pushing ahead with the construction of a controversial coal-fired power plant near Jakarta that analysts say is not needed, will be underused and will likely prove a heavy financial burden for the national government.
The US$3.7 billion (S$4.9 billion) Jawa 9 & 10 complex also challenges the government's commitment to fight climate change because it will lock in additional coal use and add millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually.
