PT Qing Kota Metal, one of the companies operating in the Indonesia Morowali Industrial Park (IMIP) area, is now prioritizing its sustainability commitment through the modernization of power plant infrastructure. The company has integrated supercritical boiler technology into its 380 MW steam power plant (PLTU) unit as a strategic step to increase operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.
Yundi Sobur, Environmental Department Manager of PT IMIP, explained that this technology works by utilizing steam pressure and temperature above the critical point of water. This mechanism allows the power plant to optimize combustion heat directly, thereby cutting the potential energy loss that typically occurs in conventional or subcritical PLTU systems.
The application of this innovation has proven to deliver a significant increase in thermal efficiency, reaching the range of 38% to 45%, compared to conventional standards which only range from 33% to 39%. This higher efficiency not only impacts coal consumption savings but also serves as an effective instrument in reducing exhaust emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
As a form of compliance with environmental regulations, the power plant facility has been equipped with state-of-the-art air pollution control systems, including flue gas desulfurization (FGD), electrostatic precipitator (ESP), and bag house filter. Regular monitoring results show that all emission parameters are well below the thresholds set in the Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation Number 15 of 2019.
In addition to reducing air pollution, this technology also contributes to reducing the volume of combustion residues in the form of fly ash and bottom ash (FABA). With a more perfect combustion quality, PT Qing Kota Metal hopes this step can serve as a benchmark for other industries in Indonesia in realizing a cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable power generation ecosystem.
