We welcome article submissions from experts in the areas of coal, mining,
shipping, etc.
To Submit your article please click here.
|
|
|
Monday, 06 October 14
' COAL-BY-WIRE' FROM SUMATRA TO JAVA - THE JAKARTA POST
 Coal from the island of Sumatra accounts for most of Indonesia’s low-grade lignite, a low-quality coal that receives a poor price in international markets.
Given this low pricing combined with high transportation costs and the fact that most reserves are located in landlocked areas, it is not feasible to export Sumatra’s coal out of the island.
It is more efficient to use Sumatra’s coal for a mine-mouth power plant, an approach in which we develop a power plant very close to where mines are located, use the low-calorie coal from the mines to feed the plant, and transmit the electricity, rather than transporting a low-value commodity, out of the mines.
With mine-mouth, we no longer require either barges or expensive railway-heavy infrastructure to transport coal; rather we need to have long-distance high-voltage transmission lines to bring “coal-by-wire” from mines to consumer centers, either regions in Sumatra and/or Java-Bali.
Essentially, with “coal-by-wire” we are transporting a higher-value commodity by wire from mines to customers. Coal stays in the landlocked areas and feeds mine-mouth, coal-fired power plants.
“Coal-by-wire” would definitely boost the development of a domestic market for low-grade coal. Today, our market for coal is very thin as we are one of the world’s leading exporters of thermal coal of a high quality in the international market.
Our exports have increased very significantly within the past decade on account of demand from fast-growing Asian economies. More than 80 percent of our coal currently produced is exported.
Indeed, coal is currently the most important source of energy for our economy. For decades coal has accounted for more than half of our power-generation capacity. And this will continue for a half century to come before alternative and cleaner energy sources other than coal become affordably available.
Our economy is also growing, and of course will require more electricity power and therefore coal – challenges that have to be met. Electricity generation now consumes close to 75 million tons per year, and will almost triple in the next 10 to 15 years.
However, domestic use of coal today notoriously suffers from infrastructure bottlenecks. Congested barges and ports, as well as a shortage of railways limit the transportation of coal from coalmines in two coal-producing regions, Kalimantan and Sumatra, to demand centers in Java-Bali, where most of our power plants are located.
The majority of our coal reserves in the two regions are located in landlocked areas that require rail transportation infrastructure to reach ports for export.
Either truck haul or rail is needed to transport the coal to barge ports and terminals.
Truck operating costs are about twice that of rail, but existing rail transportation infrastructure is severely insufficient.
Indonesia’s attempts to improve coal-transport infrastructure for the domestic market have not been very successful. Dedicated coal ports in Kalimantan have been planned for many years, but implementation has again faced bottleneck issues.
Specialized railways for coal in Sumatra have also been initiated, but this concept is still under development and has not yet received a higher-level mandate or legal authorization.
Delays in expanding the capacity of barge and transportation infrastructure cause inefficiencies and high transportation costs in domestic coal utilization. These high costs and infrastructure bottlenecks have held back the development of the domestic market for coal.
Our high-voltage transmission lines are also astonishingly limited. The state-owned electricity company (PLN) operates approximately 40,000 kilometers of transmission lines, with less than 15 percent of this total serving the island of Sumatra.
If we can build more mine-mouth, coal-fired power generation plants we will need to expand our transmission network across the island, interconnected to other transmission systems in Java-Bali.
A new set of lines of a high-voltage of 500 kilovolts and medium-voltage of 275 kV needs to be developed as a backbone network across the island, i.e. providing long-distance, reliable and stable transmission.
The distribution system and transformer capacity also need to be expanded to service a larger coverage of costumers and demand centers.
We are required also to develop an interconnected transmission system, as existing electricity transmission is not compatible across regions due to different systems and manufacturer standards adopted in the past.
The current initiative of developing inter-island interconnection lines between Java and Sumatra with 500kV High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) lines needs to be completed in harmony with the mine-mouth development.
These long-distance transmission and distribution lines, as well as interconnected systems are required to exist before a system of mine-mouth power plants is commissioned to ensure that electricity produced can be transmitted in a timely manner and with minimum cost.
Both the central and local governments must work hand-in-hand to endorse incentives to encourage the private sector — independent power producers (IPPs) — to develop mine-mouth power plants.
Incentives need to be designed to enhance the financial viability of IPPs’ mine-mouth power plant projects.
PLN as an off-taker of IPP plays a fundamental role as the “coal-by-wire” agent, and has to be ready to absorb all of the risks associated with the development and operation of the system, including the difficulties in land acquisition and intra-regional compatibility of transmission systems.
Sumatra with its huge resources of low-grade coal can secure its own electricity supply and, eventually, can be the source of low-cost electricity with its energy radiating not only to Java, but also to every corner of the country.
Source: The Jakarta Post
The writer is deputy for energy and mineral resources at the office of Coordinating Economic Minister.
If you believe an article violates your rights or the rights of others, please contact us.
|
|
Saturday, 30 August 14
RECOVERY IN SIGHT FOR THE DRY BULK SHIPPING MARKET - DREWRY SHIPPING CONSULTANTS
Despite weak freight rates so far this year, Dry Bulk shipping earnings are forecast to recover as demand for both major and minor bulk commodities ...
Friday, 29 August 14
U.S. WEEKLY COAL PRODUCTION DROPS 1.3 PERCENT, EIA SAYS
COALspot.com – United States the world's second largest coal producer, produced approximately 19.40 million short tons (mmst) of coal in ...
Friday, 29 August 14
ADARO'S PROFITS SINK FURTHER AMID FALL IN COAL PRICES - JP
Adaro Energy, one of the country’s largest coal miners, has reported a 31 percent drop in net profit in the first half of this year as global ...
Friday, 29 August 14
CHINESE LIGNITE IMPORTS: QUANTITY OVER QUALITY? - CLARKSONS
In the first half of 2014, Chinese seaborne coal imports declined 0.4% y-o-y to 148mt, largely reflecting a 3.3% fall in imports of steam coal. Mea ...
Thursday, 28 August 14
PANAMAX: OWNERS CAN GET AROUND USD 16000 FOR A FRONTHAUL; PERIOD MARKET - VERY QUIET - FEARNLEYS
Handy
The activity and sentiment is improving in the Atlantic with the general TA rate is up about US$ 800 w-o-w. We see more South American carg ...
|
|
|
Showing 3516 to 3520 news of total 6871 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
| |
|
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Planning Commission, India
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- White Energy Company Limited
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- PTC India Limited - India
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Australian Coal Association
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Economic Council, Georgia
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- The University of Queensland
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
|
| |
| |
|
