PLN Indonesia Power Advances Decarbonization With Successful Hydrogen Cofiring at Pesanggaran Bali Power Plant

Bali, Indonesia – PLN Indonesia Power has achieved a significant milestone in its decarbonization roadmap by successfully increasing the hydrogen cofiring ratio at the Pesanggaran gas engine power plant in Bali. According to PLN representatives, the plant has reached an approximately 7% hydrogen blend during testing, marking an important step toward integrating clean molecular fuels into Indonesia’s electricity system.

The Pesanggaran facility operates using Wärtsilä 50DF multi-fuel engines, which can run on LNG, light fuel oil, or heavy fuel oil. Integrating hydrogen into these engines represents a major advancement, demonstrating that existing power plants can reduce emissions without requiring extensive equipment replacement.

Key Progress Toward Indonesia’s Net Zero 2060 Target

Ricky Andrian, Assistant Vice President for Business Development at PLN Indonesia Power, confirmed that the hydrogen cofiring initiative is part of PLN’s broader strategy to achieve Net Zero Emissions by 2060, supported by several complementary programs:

• Expansion of green hydrogen (GH2) production through PLN’s Green Hydrogen Plants

• Operation of Indonesia’s first hydrogen refueling station in Senayan

• Biomass cofiring across coal power plants, contributing more than 800 GWh of renewable energy in 2024

• Development of clean fuel pathways to help industrial zones cut carbon intensity

Significance for Indonesia’s Energy Transition

The Pesanggaran success signals a “technology entry point” for hydrogen integration. Although the plant has not reached the 23% cofiring level mentioned in some informal reports, the verified 7% performance is an essential foundation for future scale-up.

This trial confirms that:

• Hydrogen can be safely and effectively introduced into existing gas engine systems

• Decarbonization of conventional power plants can be achieved without excessive capital costs

• Indonesia is moving closer to a clean-molecule energy ecosystem involving hydrogen, ammonia, and e-fuels

Higher hydrogen cofiring ratios (10–30%) are now being studied globally, and PLN’s achievement positions Indonesia as one of the front-runners in ASEAN.

Collaboration With Wärtsilä

Wärtsilä, manufacturer of the 50DF engines at Pesanggaran, has expressed strong support for PLN’s hydrogen integration efforts. Upcoming phases are expected to focus on:

• Optimizing hydrogen blend ratios

• Enhancing combustion control and safety systems

• Improving engine performance with higher hydrogen content

• Evaluating transitions to e-methane and synthetic fuels

A Positive Signal for Southeast Asia’s Hydrogen Landscape

Indonesia is emerging as a key hydrogen market in ASEAN due to:

• Extensive LNG and gas infrastructure

• Strong national commitments to energy transition

• Significant renewable resources suitable for green hydrogen production

The successful test at Pesanggaran is expected to serve as a model for replication at power plants across Java, Sumatra, and Kalimantan—regions with high industrial and urban energy demand.

Conclusion

PLN Indonesia Power’s hydrogen cofiring achievement at Pesanggaran marks more than a technical milestone—it represents a strategic breakthrough in Indonesia’s path toward a low-carbon electricity system. Together with Wärtsilä, PLN has demonstrated that clean molecular fuels can be practically integrated into existing generation assets.

This development sets a strong foundation for future hydrogen expansion in Indonesia and strengthens ASEAN’s broader momentum toward clean energy innovation.