The performance of PT PLN Coal Trading has steadily improved under the leadership of Kanapi Subur Dwiyanto since 2021. The revenue of this PLN subsidiary has been thriving: reaching IDR 600 billion in 2021, rising to IDR 2.4 trillion in 2022, and now hitting IDR 6.3 trillion this year.

PLN Coal Trading has been operational since August 2, 2019. At just four years old, the company was initially established to supply coal to PLN Group's power plants.

In 2019, preparations began for deliveries to the Jawa 7 IPP power plant. The following year, supplies commenced not only to Jawa 7 IPP but also to the Celukan Bawang IPP in Bali. In July 2021, Kanapi Subur Dwiyanto was appointed as the CEO of PT PLN Coal Trading.

"In 2021, the supply was relatively stagnant," said the former vice president of operations and quality control at PLN Coal Trading, when contacted on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. Throughout 2021, PLN Coal Trading only shipped 800 thousand metric tons of coal. Its market was limited to Jawa 7 IPP, Celukan Bawang, and Mamuju.

Kanapi was unsatisfied. He believed they could do more, especially since there was still a shortage of coal for public electricity needs. This included diminishing reserves that met PLTU specifications.

As a result, the absorption of the domestic market obligation (DMO) for coal was suboptimal due to specifications not meeting PLTU boiler standards. Coal blending activities were initiated to blend different coal qualities to create a specific desired quality.

With coal blending activities, PLN Coal Trading could produce custom coal tailored to PLTU requirements. "Coal that is under or over spec can be blended and directly used in PLTU," he emphasized.

Entering 2022, PLN Coal Trading expanded its market and customer base. This included PLTU Meulaboh 34, PLTU IPP Bengkulu, Kalbar 1, and Jeneponto in South Sulawesi.

Additionally, Kanapi ventured into non-electricity industrial markets such as cement factories, chemical industries, Morowali smelters, paper mills, and several industries in East Java and West Java.

Production soared from a mere 800 metric tons of coal to 3.2 million metric tons. By the end of this year, they have already shipped 9 million metric tons of coal.

Their market continued to expand as well. PLN Coal Trading supplied coal to PLTU Embalut and its expansion in East Kalimantan, as well as PLTU Sambelia in East Lombok. Out of the 9 million metric tons, 3.6 million metric tons were for PLN Group's PLTU and 5.4 million metric tons for IPP PLTU.

Achieving this was not without its challenges. One key strategy was to strengthen resources by forming partnerships with mining sources to secure strong supplies.

"So, we can have many sources to deliver to PLTU. It's not easy because it requires building chemistry to trust and commit to each other," said the Surabaya-born man.

PLN Coal Trading maintains a database of mining sources throughout Indonesia. Each is identified to see which can meet coal requirements according to each PLTU's specifications.

Planning is complex, requiring a detailed look at the coal volume needs of each PLTU and matching them with mining sources capable of meeting those needs. "And the delivery timing follows the PLTU operation plan," he added.

Secondly, strong support from transportation partners ensured timely deliveries. Fortunately, PLN Coal Trading has extensive relations with barge and vessel service companies.

Kanapi emphasized that their commitment to suppliers and transportation partners is closely knit. It's more than just business relationships. "We are like one family. One unit. Understanding each other's needs," he clarified.

Looking ahead to next year, they aim for even better results. They target total shipments of up to 12 million metric tons of coal, with a growing customer base.

They have already signed contracts with Krakatau Bandar Samudera to deliver 1.5 million metric tons of coal. "Coal blending is our flagship. Our commitment to these partners drives our business development," Kanapi concluded. (Mohamad Nur Khotib)