The polemic of the critical supply of coal for domestic needs is not only experienced by PT PLN (Persero) as the operator of the power plant, but also by domestic manufacturers. Currently, many entrepreneurs are giving up the use of this black stone commodity and turning to other energy sources in order to keep their factories running. One of them is felt directly by the producers of fiber and filament yarn. "We turned off the power plant because we couldn't get coal, which usually uses coal now we can't. Even if there is, it's already very expensive, it's better to use PLN," said Secretary General of the Indonesian Fiber and Yarn Fiament Producers Association (APSyFI), Redma Gita Wirawasta. , Tuesday (11/01/2022).

In order to carry out their factory production activities, entrepreneurs prioritize electricity supply from PLN. However, it is possible to return to using energy from coal if the coal stock is safe again and the price is also cheaper than having to use electricity supply from PLN.

"If it's cheaper than PLN, we'll definitely turn on the generator again, for now just use PLN first. Almost all the generators have been turned off," said Redma.

However, there are also those who still use coal as an energy source, but the amount is very small. They use it to power the boiler.

"In upstream there are still those who use one, but it's also small, maybe if it continues like this he will turn it off as well. In total, we only have 22 members, who have power plants for six companies, all of which have been shut down, only one way but it's small," he explained.

At present, entrepreneurs do not want to minimize the use of new stone due to limited stock.

As is known, on December 31, 2021, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) issued a policy of banning coal exports from January 1 to January 31 due to the critical supply of coal for power plants PT PLN (Persero) and private power developers (IPP). The criticality of PLN's coal stock can have an impact on the threat of blackouts for 10 million PLN customers, both the general public and industry.

But now, the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said that he would gradually reopen the Indonesian coal export faucet starting tomorrow, Wednesday, January 12, 2022.

In fact, on Monday night (10/01/2022) there were at least 14 ships filled with coal and verified that they could be released immediately for export.

"Later, several dozen ships filled with coal have been verified tonight and have been released. Then, when will exports be opened in stages starting on Wednesday," he said to Monday (10/01/2022).