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Residents reject Bengkulu power plant after turtles die
Residents of Baai Island in Bengkulu and environmental groups continue to push the government to halt the operation of the controversial Sepang Bay coal-fired power plant, saying it has diminished biodiversity in the area.
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A sea turtle was recently found dead near the Sepang Bay coal-fired power plant in the city of Bengkulu. (kompas.com/Courtesy of Kanopi Bengkulu)
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esidents of Baai Island in Bengkulu and environmental groups continue to push the government to halt the operation of a controversial Sepang Bay coal-fired power plant, saying it has diminished biodiversity in the area.
Despite the alleged biodiversity crisis and licensing problems surrounding the power plant, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and the Bengkulu administration were scheduled to inaugurate the project on Wednesday. However, Jokowi cut short his visit to Bengkulu and canceled most of his plans there without immediate explanation, including the power plant inauguration.
Since its construction began in 2016, Baai residents and environment activists have protested against the PLTU, accusing it of destroying the environment, as well as recently causing the deaths of 28 turtles and damaging their properties.
The power plant, which began testing its systems on Sept. 19, 2019, is a part of Jokowi's 35,000-megawatt electricity program for increasing power plant capacity nationwide.
Local man Ali Akbar, a member of an environmental advocacy group, Kanopi Hijau Indonesia, said nearby residents believed the power plant development had taken away their land, rice fields and mangrove forest, costing them their jobs and income.
Furthermore, Ali alleged there had been maladministration surrounding the power plant project, in which its management, according to Ali, had told the residents that they lacked several permissions necessary for the development, including a waste management permit.
A series of performance tests by the power plant had created air pollution and damaged the bay by causing foam and an abnormal color to appear in the water, according to residents.
