Gilang is a communications and advocacy officer at the Auriga Nusantara, an environmental NGO. He is concerned that Indonesia is still highly dependent on coal energy. In 2019, Gilang had personal experience assisting residents of Winong village in Cilacap, the victims of acute respiratory infections due to the exposure to coal-fired power plant (PLTU) waste fumes. Dust from the PLTU sticks to trees, soil, floors and even enters residents' homes. The prolonged exposure has resulted in at least 150 residents suffering from respiratory infections.
"Meanwhile, the government is still going to increase the PLTU capacity by 13.8 gigawatts until 2030. This means Indonesia will build more power plants and more and more people will get respiratory infections," said Gilang. With the energy transition plan currently being discussed, Gilang is also exploring the issue of co-firing, which is discussed to be a substitute for coal-fired power plants. He hopes there will be more research and public discussions regarding this co-firing issue, because he is worried that the technique of burning biomass in the form of sawdust, wood pellets will actually threaten the forests and cause emissions. Gilang hopes that there will be strong regulations regarding co-firing.
Support Gilang's Petition: Ditjen Minerba, Stop Pemberian Izin Tambang di Pulau Kecil
