The Nickel Industry in Central Halmahera Must Avoid Overproduction, Researcher Affirms
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29 August 2024 09:50 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A researcher from the Action for Ecology and People’s Emancipation (AEER), Pius Ginting, believed that decarbonization efforts of the nickel industry would be unachievable as long as nickel production is unrestricted. Pius also said nickel downstream industry so far still uses coal as the main source of energy in smelters.
According to Pius, the nickel industry must avoid overproduction to comply with the nickel industry decarbonization roadmap prepared by the National Development Planning Agency, or Bappenas.
"There has been no study on the ideal amount of nickel production. This not only adjusts the environmental carrying capacity but also keeps nickel prices stable," said Pius, on Wednesday, August 28, 2024.
Thus far, Pius has not seen any serious efforts by the government to realize a low-carbon nickel industry. Pius said renewable energy applications in Halmahera are hampered by the limited amount of renewable energy sources.
"Nickel production must be restricted if the renewable energy sources are minimal, not boundlessly. The amount of mining business licenses also rises each year,” said Pius.
Pius detailed that in Central Halmahera alone, there are 11 coal-fired steam power plants. They are located in the Teluk Weda Industrial area.
Each year, the 11 coal-fired steam power plants produce 15.4 million tons of carbon dioxide. Currently, he said, the nickel industry in Central Halmahera is gearing up to develop 3 new coal plants.
"In total, the potential emissions could reach 20.36 million tons of CO2 per year," said Pius.
Pius said it was time for the nickel industry in North Maluku to start switching to renewable energy. He said there is a potential for solar, wind, and ocean-powered renewable energy with a capacity of 3.49 gigawatts, able to cover the needs of all coal-fired steam power plants in Central Halmahera which requires 3.4 gigawatts.
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