PLTU Batang: Dirty Energy Sacrifices Local's Livelihoods

The PLTU Batang, also known as the Central Java Power Plant, is a massive coal-fired power plant located in Batang Regency, Central Java. With a capacity of 2,000 megawatts (MW), this plant began full operations in 2022 and has since become one of the key electricity providers for the island of Java. Positioned as a crucial part of Indonesia’s energy infrastructure, the plant was expected to bring economic progress and benefits to the local population.

However, for many residents in the area, especially fishermen and farmers, the presence of PLTU Batang has resulted in significant hardship rather than prosperity.

A Project Promising Growth but Leading to Loss

PLTU Batang was launched as part of a national effort to boost energy supply, particularly in Java where electricity demand continues to rise. The project attracted large-scale investment and was promoted as a symbol of modern development.

Unfortunately, the development has brought severe consequences for the surrounding communities. Rather than improving local welfare, it has led to the loss of access to vital natural resources, displacement, and environmental damage.

Fishermen Struggle to Survive at Sea

Haryono, a fisherman from Roban Timur Village, is among those most affected. In the past, he could fish for one hour using 20 liters of gasoline and return with a decent catch. Today, he needs between 40 to 50 liters of fuel to sail farther into the sea, only to bring home fewer fish than before.

This shift happened after the plant began operating. The local marine ecosystem, once rich with fish, has deteriorated. Haryono and other fishermen now face greater expenses, longer hours, and declining incomes.

In addition to fewer fish, fishermen have reported catching pieces of coal in their nets. According to Dinar Bayu, an environmental activist with Greenpeace Indonesia, coal debris in fishing areas has become a common problem since PLTU Batang became operational.

Warnings and Protests Were Ignored

Even before construction began, local fishermen had already voiced their concerns. They feared that the project would pollute the ocean and destroy the marine habitats that had sustained their livelihoods for generations.

Despite protests and repeated warnings, the project went forward. The voices of the community were sidelined by government officials and investors who prioritized infrastructure growth over environmental protection and community welfare.

Farmers Barred From Their Own Fields

The impact of the coal plant is not limited to the fishing industry. Farmers in nearby areas have also been affected. According to a report by Mongabay Indonesia, a farmer in Ponowareng Village was blocked from entering his own farmland, even though the land had not been sold to the PLTU.

Instead of being allowed to tend his crops, the farmer was taken to a security post by guards. This shows how local people can be denied access to land they have long depended on, simply because of industrial development projects.

This situation highlights a broader pattern in Indonesia, where local communities often lose their land and livelihood without fair compensation or proper consultation when large infrastructure projects are pushed through.

Environmental Degradation from Coal

Coal-fired power plants such as PLTU Batang are major sources of air and water pollution. The burning of coal releases harmful pollutants including carbon dioxide (CO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and fine particulates. These substances can cause respiratory illnesses, contribute to climate change, and harm local ecosystems.

The power plant also generates toxic waste materials such as fly ash and bottom ash, which can seep into soil and water sources if not managed properly. This poses long-term risks to health, agriculture, and biodiversity in the surrounding region.

Environmental experts have warned about these risks for years, emphasizing the need to limit coal use and improve environmental safeguards.

A Call for a Just and Inclusive Energy Transition

The case of PLTU Batang is a powerful example of why Indonesia must commit to a just energy transition. While the country has set a target to reach net-zero emissions by 2060, continued reliance on coal plants directly undermines this goal.

A fair transition to clean energy must not only replace fossil fuels with renewable sources. It must also protect the rights and well-being of communities affected by energy projects. People like Haryono and the farmer from Ponowareng must be included in the conversation and supported through compensation, job training, and alternative income opportunities.

Indonesia has great potential in solar, wind, and geothermal energy. These sources can supply the country’s electricity needs without destroying ecosystems or displacing local communities. Making this shift will require political will, strategic investment, and public support.

Development Must Not Come at the Expense of People

Although PLTU Batang now supplies electricity to millions, the cost has been borne by those who live closest to the plant. Their livelihoods have been disrupted, their environment damaged, and their voices ignored.

This is not what responsible development looks like. Growth and infrastructure should empower people, not displace them. The experience of the communities in Batang should serve as a reminder that energy policy must prioritize people and the planet.

Now is the time to rethink our energy future. Indonesia must reduce its dependency on coal and move toward a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable energy system. This is not only an environmental necessity but a moral one.

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