Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – Economic sanctions from Europe for Russia’s attack on Ukraine seem to bring its own advantages for Indonesia. This is reflected in the ‘sudden’ order of 150 million tons of coal from Germany following the country’s decision to stop the use of gas from Russia.
ESDM Ministry’s Director General of Mineral and Coal (Dirjen Minerba) Ridwan Djamaluddin said Germany had asked Indonesia to supply 150 million tons of coal to his country. This was known after the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Arifin Tasrif made his visit to the country.
“The Minister was there, two weeks ago yesterday. What I heard, it has not been directly confirmed, 150 million tons, it was Germany who said that,” said Ridwan when met at the Ministry of Home Affairs Building, Thursday (16/6/2022) .
Ridwan himself is optimistic that Indonesia will be able to meet supply demand, considering that the source of coal from companies in Indonesia is still quite large.
“Including PTBA (PT Bukit Asam Tbk.) and others, we still have enough,” he said.
As is known, Indonesia will get a ‘windfall’ from coal export activities. Countries in the European Union such as Germany, Poland, and even India have lobbied Indonesia to be able to send coal to their countries.
The demand for coal from Indonesia cannot be separated from the European Union’s move to impose sanctions on coal from Russia for the Red Bear Country’s attack on Ukraine.
As for India, the country is currently experiencing an electricity crisis due to a heat wave. The need for coal for power generation has also soared.
Executive Director of the Indonesian Coal Mining Association (APBI) Hendra Sinadia confirmed that there had been several requests for exports to Europe. In fact, there have been coal export activities carried out.
However, Hendra did not know for sure how much coal was exported to Europe. “The progress is good. I heard that there have been exports to several European countries. Yesterday afternoon with a buyer from Poland, the information is that there are exports running,” Hendra told CNBC Indonesia, Thursday (16/6/2022).
APBI, said Hendra, will continue to serve the requests of several potential buyers from Poland and Germany, facilitated by the local Indonesian Embassy.
“In addition, the Polish embassy is also actively facilitating companies from Poland visiting Jakarta,” said Hendra.
