T

he government has argued that it must build coal-fired power plants (PLTUs) across the country to meet soaring electricity demand. The government also argues that in addition to satiating electricity demand, coal is cheaper than other forms of energy.

But is it really cheaper?

No, it is not, according to Greenpeace Indonesia. The environmental group has calculated that PLTUs generate enormous health costs, some Rp 351 trillion (US$27.1 billion) every year, much higher than the allocation of the 2016 state budget for the health sector, which stands at around Rp 110 trillion.

“We object to the government’s argument saying that PLTUs are one of the cheapest alternatives available and a solution to achieving energy sovereignty,” Arif Fiyanto, Greenpeace’s climate and energy coordinator told reporters recently.

A newly released Greenpeace report suggests that the electricity costs of PLTUs are around $51.22/MWh. However, when health costs are taken into account, the cost rises significantly to $152.65/MWh.

“The cost becomes higher than any other types of renewable energy,” said Hindun Malaka, Greenpeace’s climate and energy campaigner. He added that biomass and solar PV-generated forms of energy cost $112.76/MWh and $108.07/MWh, respectively.

As such, the organization said the government was using a false rationale to justify its plan.

The government has set an ambitious target of producing 35,000 megawatts of power by 2019, with PLTUs set to fulfill 22,000 megawatts of the total target.

A study carried out by Harvard University in 2015, commissioned by Greenpeace, found that air pollution emitted from PLTUs caused an estimated 6,500 premature deaths every year from stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory illnesses.

Greenpeace has conducted field studies in some areas deemed to have been polluted by PLTUs such as Jepara and Cilacap in Central Java and Labuan in Banten.

Arif said that in 2014, he interviewed Subekti, a 48-year-old elementary school teacher who has lived in Sekuping village for many years.

His home is located close to the Tanjung Jati B PLTU. Subekti, who has four children, said he noticed a difference in the air quality after the PLTU started its operations.

Arif said Subekti had noticed a significant rise in the student absenteeism rate.

“Subekti said usually 95 percent of students attended school, but after the PLTU opened up, only around 60 to 70 percent of students continued to attend classes”.

During the dry season, strong winds cause dust from the power plants to blow into people’s houses, Arif said, recalling his conversation with Subekti. As a result, Subekti has to spend between Rp 500,000 and Rp 600,000 a month on his children’s healthcare.

Greenpeace recommends that the government stop developing new PLTUs and start shifting toward renewable energy sources such as geothermal, solar and hydro power. Altogether, these renewable forms of energy presently supply just 1.25 gigawatts of power for the country.

Furthermore, the organization has urged the government to phase out and improve the monitoring of existing PLTUs. Transparent monitoring of emissions from existing plants should also be easily accessible for the public, including local communities. (win)