Central Omega Powers Up Hybrid Solar Plant at North Morowali Nickel Mine
Fri 02 Oct 2026, 09:28 AM
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PT Central Omega Resources Tbk (DKFT) has officially commenced operations of a hybrid off-grid solar power plant (PLTS) at its nickel mining site in North Morowali, Central Sulawesi, together with developer PT Xurya Daya Indonesia. The move makes Central Omega the first nickel mining company in North Morowali to integrate solar energy into its operations. Growing demand from global battery and electric vehicle manufacturers for low-carbon nickel has been a key driver behind the decision.
Central Omega has been operating far from the PLN electricity grid and has relied on fossil-fuel power plants to support its mining activities. The company is now combining solar panels with its existing power generators to maintain a stable electricity supply without disrupting production. North Morowali Regent Delis Julkarson Hehi said the region has significant solar radiation potential, in line with the President’s target of developing 100 GW of national solar energy capacity.
Clean Energy Supply and Emissions Reduction
The newly commissioned hybrid solar power plant generates 404,230 kWh of clean energy per year. This electricity production cuts CO2 emissions by 343.6 tons per year, equivalent to planting 3,902 trees.
The amount of energy is also equivalent to charging 5,630 electric cars. For Central Omega, the hybrid system provides a dual solution: ensuring a reliable electricity supply while reducing fossil fuel consumption at the mining site.
Answering Demand for Low-Carbon Nickel
Central Omega’s move is not merely about cost efficiency. Global battery and electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers are now demanding nickel with a low carbon footprint, and the solar power plant positions the company to meet that demand.
Central Omega Director Andi Jaya described the project as proof that renewable energy can be implemented in the mining sector.
"This is proof that renewable energy is not just a concept, but can be implemented in mining operations," Andi said on Thursday (1/10).
Xurya Managing Director Eka Himawan added that solar power plants can be specifically designed to meet the needs of mining operations that require high reliability, even at off-grid locations.
Impact on the Region and Mining Sector
Regent Delis Julkarson Hehi hopes Central Omega’s move will serve as an example for other mining companies in North Morowali. He said the use of solar energy in the region is in line with the national target for renewable energy development.
"This step should serve as an example for the mining sector in the region," he said.
For surrounding residents, the presence of the hybrid solar power plant creates an opportunity for a more stable electricity supply without increasing dependence on fossil fuels. Central Omega is itself recorded as the first nickel mining company in North Morowali to integrate a hybrid solar power plant into its operations.
Blueprint for Low-Carbon Nickel Downstreaming
The project is being carried out amid the 2060 Net Zero Emission target and pressure to decarbonize the nickel downstreaming supply chain. What Central Omega and Xurya are doing could become a new blueprint: mining nickel for clean energy, using clean energy as well.
For Indonesia’s nickel industry, the combination of a hybrid solar power plant and existing generators shows that mine decarbonization is not impossible, particularly in off-grid areas that have traditionally been synonymous with dependence on diesel. Central Omega’s success will be tested by the consistency of its electricity production throughout the year.
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