On September 10, 2025, the 2×350MW ultra-supercritical coal-fired power generation unit, South Sumatra No.1 Project in Indonesia, which is invested and constructed by China Energy Investment Corporation Co., Ltd. (CHN Energy), officially obtained the commercial operation certificate issued by Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), the Indonesian government-owned electricity corporation.
By then, CHN Energy had been operating three power projects in Indonesia, with a total installed capacity of 3.1 million kilowatts, ranking first among Chinese-funded enterprises as an independent power producer in the Southeast Asian country. As outstanding models of China-Indonesia power cooperation, the projects are a solid implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits, and also vivid practices of the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative in the energy sector.
Chinese wisdom shines in Indonesia
Since entering the Indonesian market in 2007, CHN Energy has consistently upheld the Chinese approach of "high quality, high standards, and high efficiency" and integrated advanced technologies, mature management practices, and outstanding standards into local development. The 2×150MW Project in Muara Enim Regency, South Sumatra, with its main equipment manufactured in China, featured Chinese design, manufacturing, construction, and operation and maintenance standards and was completed and put into operation 12 months ahead of schedule. The Java No.7 2×1050MW Project constructed a million-kilowatt unit in just 29 months, setting a record in Indonesia's power construction history.
A view of the 2×150MW Project in Muara Enim Regency, South Sumatra. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
Faced with the power generation challenges of using brown coal with high moisture content and low calorific value, CHN Energy has achieved significant breakthroughs through a series of technological innovations. The project in Muara Enim Regency, South Sumatra, adopted the brown coal rotary drum drying and upgrading technology, significantly enhancing the commercial utilization value of high-moisture brown coal. The technology not only effectively solved key issues such as high dust emissions and coal blockages during combustion but also ensured the stable output of the power generation units, providing a reliable technological pathway for the efficient and clean utilization of brown coal. The South Sumatra No.1 Project has employed fan mill and high-temperature furnace flue gas technologies to further optimize combustion efficiency and reduce coal consumption, achieving zero wastewater discharge and significantly improving environmental protection indicators.
A view of the Java No.7 2×1050MW Project. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
To address complex geological conditions and enhance the comprehensive performance of the power plant, the Java No.7 2×1050MW Project innovatively adopted a combined foundation treatment technology by integrating vacuum surcharge preloading and different types of pile foundations. It successfully created a "sponge power plant" and constructed an ultra-long tubular coal conveyor belt, demonstrating the forward-thinking design and system integration capabilities of Chinese engineering.
The South Sumatra No.1 Project fully embodies the comprehensive advantages of Chinese design, manufacturing, construction management, and commissioning. It has significantly strengthened the power supply capacity of the Sumatra Island’s power grid, effectively promoting regional economic and social development and improving people's livelihoods.
A view of the South Sumatra No.1 Project. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
Since the project in Muara Enim Regency, South Sumatra, was put into operation, it has operated continuously for 10 years without any unplanned outage, setting a new world record for the longest continuous operation. It has become the safest, most stable, and most reliable power source of the South Sumatra power grid, and has won numerous awards as an independent power producer for technological innovation and environmental improvement and renovation. It has also been listed as a national demonstration project by Dewan Energi Nasional (DEN), the Indonesian Energy Commission.
The Java No.7 2×1050MW Project has achieved a maximum annual power generation duration of 7,533 hours, ranking among the world's top in efficiency. Its Unit 1 operated safely for 302 consecutive days after commissioning, winning the Subroto Award, Indonesia's highest award from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, and China’s highest national award for overseas engineering projects.
Green cooperation leads to win-win outcomes
CHN Energy has taken ecological environmental protection and green development as the distinctive hallmark of its project construction and operation. It consistently adheres to environmental standards that exceed local requirements and works hand in hand with all parties to jointly create an outstanding model for Chinese enterprises' green development overseas.
The Java No.7 2×1050MW Project is not only the most technologically advanced and environmentally stringent green power plant in Indonesia to date, but it has also achieved comprehensive control in pollution management. The project innovatively employs an integrated dust control process. It reduces the impact of falling raw materials by using curved coal chutes to minimize dust at the source and effectively captures and settles existing dust by adopting passive dust suppression chutes and dry fog dust suppression technologies. This has significantly improved the plant environment while achieving energy conservation.
For emissions reduction, the power plant's seawater desulfurization system adopts a new spray technology with intelligent control of spray layers to distribute seawater more evenly, greatly enhancing desulfurization efficiency. The seawater recovery system introduced closed-loop aeration technology for the first time, improving aeration evenness, accelerating water quality restoration, and effectively reducing impacts on the marine ecosystem.
CHN Energy’s projects have always prioritized green development. In the offshore construction area, mangrove ecological barriers were built, with nearly 50,000 dominant tree species replanted. Local fishermen were actively engaged in the restoration and maintenance of the mangroves. Additionally, 150,000 fish fry were released to restore the wetland food chain. As a result, the reserved mangrove area has increased by 280 percent compared to when the project construction started.
Mutual understanding builds bridges of friendship
CHN Energy has vigorously promoted the development of local power talent in Indonesia. A total of 200 Indonesian employees have been selected to study in China for management, technical training, and cultural exchange programs.
Notably, the Java No.7 2×1050MW Project organized local employees to undergo a one-year systematic power generation technology training program in China, cultivating and delivering over 100 highly qualified power professionals to Indonesia. By establishing simulator training centers and signing memorandums of cooperation on talent development, CHN Energy has comprehensively strengthened technical and personnel exchanges with local power enterprises, providing systematic training to more than 500 power plant operators.
Meanwhile, various projects in Indonesia have cumulatively paid approximately 1.6 billion yuan ($2.29 billion) in taxes to the local government and directly created over 10,000 jobs, effectively boosting regional economic development and improving social welfare.
CHN Energy has fostered a positive cycle where Chinese mentors guide Indonesian apprentices, and local senior employees coach new recruits. Many local employees are gradually growing from trainees into core technical and management personnel.
CHN Energy actively fulfills its social responsibilities. It has established the "Annie's Wish" Scholarship Fund, the first officially certified educational assistance fund initiated by a Chinese-funded enterprise in Indonesia. It has supported many students in receiving basic education.
Additionally, CHN Energy continues to advance the Hope Village public welfare project, effectively improving local living and educational conditions through skills training for villagers, community infrastructure renovation, and donations to schools and orphanages.
Indonesian employees participate in a Spring Festival Gala. [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]
CHN Energy actively fosters a culturally diverse and inclusive environment. It respects and safeguards the religious customs of its Muslim employees by establishing standardized halal canteens and prayer rooms in its facilities. During Eid al-Fitr, Chinese and foreign employees share traditional festive foods and exchange festive greetings. During traditional Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival, people gather to make dumplings and hold gala events.
Looking ahead, CHN Energy will remain steadfast in advancing the vision of a Community with a Shared Future for Mankind. With green energy cooperation as cornerstone and technological innovation as driving force, it will deepen interconnected power infrastructure and low-carbon transition collaboration with Indonesia and the whole ASEAN region. Committed to green and low-carbon development, CHN Energy will establish a collaborative development system centered on innovative application and international cooperation. It will actively expand into emerging sectors such as floating photovoltaic and green hydrogen energy storage, while fully promoting the coexistence model of power station and ecological protection.
As a contributor to the high-quality advancement of the Belt and Road Initiative, CHN Energy will continue to uphold the responsibilities of Chinese enterprises. It will offer China's solutions and channel CHN Energy’s strength to support global carbon neutrality efforts, collaborating with all partners to forge a new era of shared prosperity and sustainable development.
(Executive editor: Yuan Ting)
