Pembangunan PLTU batubara di Kawasan Industri Hijau (KIHI) Kalimantan Utara diproyeksi menimbulkan dampak ekonomi negatif, termasuk kerugian output Rp3,93 triliun, penurunan pendapatan masyarakat Rp3,68 triliun, dan kerugian sektor perikanan Rp51,5 miliar. “Perusahaan yang berada di balik investasi PLTU batubara perlu segera mempertimbangkan untuk menghentikan segala bentuk kontrak atau kesepakatan pembelian selama PLTU batubara tetap dibangun,” ujar Bhima Yudhistira, Direktur Eksekutif CELIOS.

Dampak ekologis juga signifikan, termasuk deforestasi, abrasi pantai, dan hilangnya biodiversitas. “KIHI cenderung mendorong adanya deforestasi, pengerukan laut, cemaran limbah panas air bahang, abrasi pantai, penghancuran sumber-sumber air hingga hilangnya berbagai biodiversitas,” sebut Fiorentina Refani, peneliti CELIOS. Komitmen pemerintah dan implementasi kebijakan net zero sangat penting agar proyek tidak sekadar menjadi selubung hijau untuk menarik investasi, menurut Atinna Rizqiana.

CELIOS merekomendasikan penghentian seluruh rencana pembangunan PLTU batubara baru dan fokus pada pasokan listrik dari energi terbarukan. “Dari studi yang dilakukan CELIOS, merekomendasikan agar setiap pembangunan kawasan industri hijau perlu mempertimbangkan aspek lingkungan secara menyeluruh, dan menghentikan seluruh rencana pembangunan PLTU batubara baru dan fokus untuk menyediakan pasokan listrik dari energi terbarukan,” ujar Bhima. Taksonomi hijau OJK 2.0 sebaiknya juga tidak memberikan ruang bagi PLTU batubara agar perbankan lebih fokus membiayai pembangkit EBT.

The construction of coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) in the North Kalimantan Green Industrial Zone (KIHI) is projected to cause significant economic losses, including Rp3.93 trillion in output decline, Rp3.68 trillion in reduced community income, and Rp51.5 billion in losses for the fisheries sector. “Companies behind these coal CFPPs investments need to immediately reconsider any contracts or purchase agreements as long as these plants continue to operate,” said Bhima Yudhistira, Executive Director of CELIOS.

The ecological impacts are also severe, including deforestation, coastal erosion, and biodiversity loss. “KIHI tends to drive deforestation, seabed excavation, thermal water pollution, coastal erosion, destruction of water sources, and loss of biodiversity,” said Fiorentina Refani, a CELIOS researcher. Government commitment and the implementation of net-zero policies are crucial to ensure that the project does not serve merely as a green façade to attract investment, according to Atinna Rizqiana.

CELIOS recommends halting all new CFPP projects and focusing on renewable energy supply. “Our study recommends that every green industrial zone development must consider environmental aspects comprehensively, halt all plans for new coal CFPPs, and prioritize electricity from renewable sources,” said Bhima. The OJK Green Taxonomy 2.0 should also exclude coal CFPPs, ensuring banks focus financing on renewable energy projects.