THE energy transition, to be carried out by ending our dependence on electricity produced by coal, is like trying to end an addiction to narcotics. The cost is high, and it takes time. The government now has no choice but to spend a huge amount of money on ending the operation of coal-fired power stations (PLTUs).

Early retirement of PLTUs is one of the strategies in the energy transition. In order to close the Cirebon Unit 1 PLTU and the Palabu