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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.
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Monday, 13 October 14
NEWCASTLE COAL SWAP FOR Q1' 2015 DELIVERY CLOSED AT US$ 54.92, SGX DATA SHOWS
COALspot.com: API 5 FOB Newcastle Coal swap for delivery Q4' 2014 decreased US$ 0.80 (-1.46%) month over month and US$ 0.52 (-0.95%) week over ...
Monday, 13 October 14
INDONESIAN COAL SWAPS FOR DELIVERY Q4' 2014 GAINED WEEK ON WEEK AND DAY ON DAY
COALspot.com: Indonesian coal swaps for delivery Q4' 2014 gained week on week and day on day.
The swap lost US$ 0.13 (-0.25%) month on mon ...
Monday, 13 October 14
Q1' 2015 CFR SOUTH CHINA COAL SWAP CLOSED US$ 0.31 PMT HIGHER THAN Q4' 2014 CLOSING
COALspot.com: API 8 CFR South China Coal swap for Q4’ 2014 delivery decreased US$ 0.66 (-1.00%) month over month and US$ 0.40 (-0.61%) ...
Sunday, 12 October 14
INDONESIA TO INDIA FREIGHT RATES ARE EXPECTED TO BE WEAK - VISTAAR
COALspot.com: This week all the segments softened. The BDI down 7.13 pct week on week and closed below 1000 points at 963 points.
The Cape ind ...
Saturday, 11 October 14
COAL PRODUCTION RISES ONLY SLIGHTLY AS GOVT LIMITS MINING OPERATIONS - THE JAKARTA POST
Indonesian coal production rose by only 4 percent in the first nine months of this year, a relatively low increase compared to previous years, as t ...
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- Economic Council, Georgia
- Dalmia Cement Bharat India
- Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd - Australia
- Marubeni Corporation - India
- Central Java Power - Indonesia
- Jaiprakash Power Ventures ltd
- PetroVietnam Power Coal Import and Supply Company
- Lanco Infratech Ltd - India
- Petron Corporation, Philippines
- Parry Sugars Refinery, India
- Baramulti Group, Indonesia
- Gujarat Mineral Development Corp Ltd - India
- Semirara Mining Corp, Philippines
- Eastern Energy - Thailand
- McConnell Dowell - Australia
- LBH Netherlands Bv - Netherlands
- Borneo Indobara - Indonesia
- Indika Energy - Indonesia
- Iligan Light & Power Inc, Philippines
- Energy Development Corp, Philippines
- Antam Resourcindo - Indonesia
- Samtan Co., Ltd - South Korea
- The State Trading Corporation of India Ltd
- PTC India Limited - India
- Georgia Ports Authority, United States
- Videocon Industries ltd - India
- Indo Tambangraya Megah - Indonesia
- Kepco SPC Power Corporation, Philippines
- New Zealand Coal & Carbon
- Port Waratah Coal Services - Australia
- Binh Thuan Hamico - Vietnam
- Salva Resources Pvt Ltd - India
- Truba Alam Manunggal Engineering.Tbk - Indonesia
- SMC Global Power, Philippines
- Power Finance Corporation Ltd., India
- Posco Energy - South Korea
- Globalindo Alam Lestari - Indonesia
- Global Coal Blending Company Limited - Australia
- Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence - India
- Latin American Coal - Colombia
- Cigading International Bulk Terminal - Indonesia
- Romanian Commodities Exchange
- Thiess Contractors Indonesia
- Global Green Power PLC Corporation, Philippines
- Kideco Jaya Agung - Indonesia
- Sarangani Energy Corporation, Philippines
- CNBM International Corporation - China
- IEA Clean Coal Centre - UK
- Savvy Resources Ltd - HongKong
- Pendopo Energi Batubara - Indonesia
- Sinarmas Energy and Mining - Indonesia
- Vijayanagar Sugar Pvt Ltd - India
- Heidelberg Cement - Germany
- Bharathi Cement Corporation - India
- The Treasury - Australian Government
- Africa Commodities Group - South Africa
- Agrawal Coal Company - India
- Barasentosa Lestari - Indonesia
- Bulk Trading Sa - Switzerland
- Orica Mining Services - Indonesia
- Australian Coal Association
- AsiaOL BioFuels Corp., Philippines
- SMG Consultants - Indonesia
- Meenaskhi Energy Private Limited - India
- Coalindo Energy - Indonesia
- GN Power Mariveles Coal Plant, Philippines
- Ministry of Finance - Indonesia
- Jindal Steel & Power Ltd - India
- ICICI Bank Limited - India
- Metalloyd Limited - United Kingdom
- Singapore Mercantile Exchange
- Australian Commodity Traders Exchange
- MS Steel International - UAE
- Sindya Power Generating Company Private Ltd
- Chettinad Cement Corporation Ltd - India
- Tamil Nadu electricity Board
- Carbofer General Trading SA - India
- Meralco Power Generation, Philippines
- Jorong Barutama Greston.PT - Indonesia
- Alfred C Toepfer International GmbH - Germany
- India Bulls Power Limited - India
- Sical Logistics Limited - India
- Therma Luzon, Inc, Philippines
- Coal and Oil Company - UAE
- Thai Mozambique Logistica
- Mercator Lines Limited - India
- Filglen & Citicon Mining (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong
- Oldendorff Carriers - Singapore
- Miang Besar Coal Terminal - Indonesia
- Wilmar Investment Holdings
- PowerSource Philippines DevCo
- Asia Pacific Energy Resources Ventures Inc, Philippines
- Mercuria Energy - Indonesia
- Asmin Koalindo Tuhup - Indonesia
- Larsen & Toubro Limited - India
- Edison Trading Spa - Italy
- Tata Chemicals Ltd - India
- Karaikal Port Pvt Ltd - India
- Gujarat Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Semirara Mining and Power Corporation, Philippines
- Dr Ramakrishna Prasad Power Pvt Ltd - India
- Ministry of Mines - Canada
- Kapuas Tunggal Persada - Indonesia
- GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
- Formosa Plastics Group - Taiwan
- Manunggal Multi Energi - Indonesia
- Bhoruka Overseas - Indonesia
- Ambuja Cements Ltd - India
- San Jose City I Power Corp, Philippines
- International Coal Ventures Pvt Ltd - India
- Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Japan
- The University of Queensland
- Holcim Trading Pte Ltd - Singapore
- European Bulk Services B.V. - Netherlands
- Cement Manufacturers Association - India
- Anglo American - United Kingdom
- Vizag Seaport Private Limited - India
- Krishnapatnam Port Company Ltd. - India
- Offshore Bulk Terminal Pte Ltd, Singapore
- Attock Cement Pakistan Limited
- Bukit Asam (Persero) Tbk - Indonesia
- Chamber of Mines of South Africa
- Makarim & Taira - Indonesia
- Orica Australia Pty. Ltd.
- TNB Fuel Sdn Bhd - Malaysia
- South Luzon Thermal Energy Corporation
- Energy Link Ltd, New Zealand
- Bangladesh Power Developement Board
- Kumho Petrochemical, South Korea
- GVK Power & Infra Limited - India
- White Energy Company Limited
- Maheswari Brothers Coal Limited - India
- Straits Asia Resources Limited - Singapore
- Aboitiz Power Corporation - Philippines
- Interocean Group of Companies - India
- Central Electricity Authority - India
- PNOC Exploration Corporation - Philippines
- Timah Investasi Mineral - Indoneisa
- Electricity Authority, New Zealand
- Planning Commission, India
- Gujarat Sidhee Cement - India
- Xindia Steels Limited - India
- Intertek Mineral Services - Indonesia
- Essar Steel Hazira Ltd - India
- Ceylon Electricity Board - Sri Lanka
- Coastal Gujarat Power Limited - India
- Kobexindo Tractors - Indoneisa
- Riau Bara Harum - Indonesia
- Global Business Power Corporation, Philippines
- Sojitz Corporation - Japan
- Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd, - India
- IHS Mccloskey Coal Group - USA
- Wood Mackenzie - Singapore
- Billiton Holdings Pty Ltd - Australia
- Mintek Dendrill Indonesia
- Kalimantan Lumbung Energi - Indonesia
- Goldman Sachs - Singapore
- Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand
- Bayan Resources Tbk. - Indonesia
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited
- VISA Power Limited - India
- Parliament of New Zealand
- Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission - India
- Siam City Cement PLC, Thailand
- Mjunction Services Limited - India
- TeaM Sual Corporation - Philippines
- Standard Chartered Bank - UAE
- Star Paper Mills Limited - India
- Sree Jayajothi Cements Limited - India
- Bukit Makmur.PT - Indonesia
- Petrochimia International Co. Ltd.- Taiwan
- Indogreen Group - Indonesia
- Banpu Public Company Limited - Thailand
- Ministry of Transport, Egypt
- GMR Energy Limited - India
- Karbindo Abesyapradhi - Indoneisa
- Bhatia International Limited - India
- Medco Energi Mining Internasional
- Kartika Selabumi Mining - Indonesia
- Renaissance Capital - South Africa
- Pipit Mutiara Jaya. PT, Indonesia
- Indonesian Coal Mining Association
- Directorate General of MIneral and Coal - Indonesia
- Simpson Spence & Young - Indonesia
- Grasim Industreis Ltd - India
- Bhushan Steel Limited - India
- Malabar Cements Ltd - India
- Trasteel International SA, Italy
- Uttam Galva Steels Limited - India
- London Commodity Brokers - England
- Bank of Tokyo Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd
- Ind-Barath Power Infra Limited - India
- Commonwealth Bank - Australia
- Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited - India
- Price Waterhouse Coopers - Russia
- Minerals Council of Australia
- Indian Energy Exchange, India
- Merrill Lynch Commodities Europe
- Independent Power Producers Association of India
- Bahari Cakrawala Sebuku - Indonesia
- OPG Power Generation Pvt Ltd - India
- Kaltim Prima Coal - Indonesia
- Eastern Coal Council - USA
- Deloitte Consulting - India
- Altura Mining Limited, Indonesia
- CIMB Investment Bank - Malaysia
- Vedanta Resources Plc - India
- Madhucon Powers Ltd - India
- Bukit Baiduri Energy - Indonesia
- Dong Bac Coal Mineral Investment Coporation - Vietnam
- Siam City Cement - Thailand
- SN Aboitiz Power Inc, Philippines
- Aditya Birla Group - India
- ASAPP Information Group - India
- Kohat Cement Company Ltd. - Pakistan
- Rio Tinto Coal - Australia
- Sakthi Sugars Limited - India
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