Indonesia is among the top 5 coal-producing countries globally, with an average production of 440 million tons per year. However, the dwindling reserves have prompted the government to limit production to 400 million tons per year by 2019.
Currently, the proven reserves of domestic coal reach 13.3 billion tons (fixed assumption), and the average production is 440 million tons per year. If it continues to be dredged, it is estimated that Indonesian coal will run out in 29 years.

“The government is locked (limit) because the central government cannot control many mining licenses in the regions. When coal is dredged and sold, there is no longer left. Looking again is more difficult,” said Member of the National Energy Council (DEN), Tumiran, at the Sari Pan Pacific Hotel, Central Jakarta, Thursday (8/6).

According to Tumiran, with the government’s policy of limiting coal production, it is hoped that in the future, the supply of coal in the country will be sufficient for the long term.

As the information, 75-78 percent of Indonesia’s coal is exported abroad, mostly exported to China and India. At the same time, the rest is used for domestic electric fuel.

By increasing the domestic market share, the government targets that by 2046 coal exports will be stopped.

Tumiran continued, the construction of a generator at the mouth of the mine currently being carried out by the government also requires a sufficient supply of coal in the future so that it can produce electricity at a low price and benefit the community at large.

“If it is cheap electricity, consumers have low prices, and the industry grows to get competitive electricity,” said Tumiran.