Indonesian coal firms turn to local market as exports flatten

Demand for coal from Indonesia, the biggest exporter of the commodity, is projected to grow at less than 1 percent starting in 2021 as global power industry investment shifts away from coal, although not necessarily toward renewables. Starting next year, demand growth for Indonesian coal will be driven solely by rising domestic consumption, while exports – which still account for the lion’s share of demand – stagnates at 441 million tons a year, according to the government’s roadmap unveiled on Aug. 27. Domestic consumption will be mainly driven by a new wave of coal-fired power plants (PLTU) being developed by state-owned electricity company PLN, the roadmap shows. “It’s gonna be a huge demand setter,” said James Stevenson, senior director for coal, metals and mining at IHS Markit, on Sept 9. “Over time, demand of the domestic mar…