Paving way to new emission norms for thermal power plants in Indonesia

The new norms reflect significant tightening, especially for the upcoming plants. These now have to meet a SOx and NOx standards of 200 mg/m3 each instead of 750 mg/m3, which will require installation of advanced pollution control equipments. For old plants, the standards for SOx and NOx have been reduced from 750 and 850 respectively to 550 (similar to the levels that old and small existing plants in India are expected to meet).  As for PM standard, it has been cut by half from 100 to 50 mg/m3 for new plants and from 150 to 100 for old ones.

These new standards will have a vital impact on Indonesia’s air quality. The country is looking to more than double its existing coal-based capacity of 25 GW, to meet its fast expanding electricity needs. Studies indicate that status quo on standards would have led to a three-fold increase in the SO2 and NOx emissions, and a doubling of PM2.5 emissions by 2030, compared to the 2011 levels.

CSE’s strategy in Indonesia was to develop and engage with a broad network of stakeholders, ranging from civil society to industry. It identified a strong partner (ICEL) to voice local advocacy and succeeded in making inroads into the ministry, providing them with inputs through research reports, meetings and exposure visit. CSE’s inputs played a critical role in drafting of the new norms – acknowledged by ministry officials on several occasions.