TEMPO.CO, Bengkulu - Environmental Activists have expressed their opposition to Bengkulu provincial government’s plan to build a coal-fired thermal power plant (PLTU).

Beni Ardiansyah, the director of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) Bengkulu, said that the plan is tantamount to digging graves for 319,098 locals in the region. “As many as 319,098 lives are in danger of being greatly affected by the activity at the planned 2 x 100-megawatt power plant of Bengkulu provincial government,” Beni said Wednesday, August 24, 2016.

According to him, the planned coal-fired thermal power plant is not the right solution for addressing electricity shortage in the region. The activity at the plant would instead create immediate problems.

The burning of 1 million tons of coal per year is expected to generate 39.85 tons of coal ash per hour. “It goes without saying that the ash being generated [from power plant] contains toxic materials and very dangerous, we should think about the future of Bengkulu children,” Beni said.

To address the issue of electricity shortage in Bengkulu, Walhi suggested that the government should exploit other natural resources, such as rivers. Bengkulu Province is home to 130 rivers and streams which could be utilized to generate power.

“The preservation of forest areas would ensure sustained water flow as the source of hydroelectric power plants; why don’t we use it?” he said.

Bengkulu Governor Ridwan Mukti said electricity is a fundamental need for any region. Bengkulu still suffers power shortage with a peak load of roughly 258 MW, whereas its electricity supply is only 236 MW.

PHESI ESTER JULIKAWATI