Luwu. Gold miner Masmindo Dwi Area (MDA) has become the first company in Luwu Regency, South Sulawesi to use 100 percent renewable energy for four consecutive years. This commitment to environmental sustainability is demonstrated through the use of green electricity, provided via the Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) service from state utility company PLN (Persero).

The collaboration with PLN has positioned MDA as the pioneer company in Luwu to adopt the REC service. Rathy Shinta Utami, Manager of PLN UP3 Palopo, explained that REC addresses the need for decarbonization in the industrial and business sectors. This initiative is part of the broader effort to achieve Net Zero Emissions (NZE) by 2060.

“This collaboration proves that PLN and MDA are playing an active role in reducing emissions by promoting the use of environmentally friendly energy,” Rathy said on Friday.

The REC service by PLN enables customers to gain international recognition for their use of renewable energy in a transparent and accountable manner. Each REC certifies that one megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity consumed by the customer is sourced from renewable or non-fossil power plants.

PLN UP3 Palopo has commended MDA for its participation in using clean energy. MDA has consistently utilized 100 percent clean energy from 2021 to 2024, amounting to approximately 600,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh), equivalent to 600 units of REC.

“Purchasing REC is the simplest way for customers to enjoy clean energy from PLN,” Rathy said. “Building their own power plants would require significant investment and time, but by purchasing REC from PLN, MDA has officially become a customer using clean energy.”

Rathy further explained that the connected power capacity for MDA is 197,000 Volt-Amperes (VA), which will increase to 1,110,000 VA by August 2024. According to PLN’s calculations, the total renewable energy supplied to MDA over four years, from 2021 to 2023, reached 396,000 kWh, with an estimated 204,000 kWh for 2024.

Rathy emphasized that MDA could serve as a model for other companies in Indonesia, particularly in Luwu Regency, to adopt REC from PLN as a commitment to clean energy use.

Fakhruddin Noor, General Manager Project at MDA, expressed the company's dedication to using cleaner electricity throughout its operations, aligning with government programs to reduce emissions.

“MDA has collaborated with PLN and ensured that, through the purchase of REC, its electricity sources from 2021 to 2024 have been from renewable energy,” Fakhruddin said. “This aligns with MDA's vision and mission to be an environmentally friendly company and support government programs in emission reduction.”