Delong Nickel Phase I power station
| Part of the Global Coal Plant Tracker, a Global Energy Monitor project. |
| Related coal trackers: |
Delong Nickel Phase I power station is an operating power station of at least 530-megawatts (MW) in Kendari, Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is also known as 德龙镍业印尼肯达里自备电厂一期.
Location
Table 1: Project-level location details
| Plant name | Location | Coordinates (WGS 84) |
|---|---|---|
| Delong Nickel Phase I power station | Kendari, Sulawesi, Indonesia | -3.907537, 122.419265 (exact) |
Unit-level coordinates (WGS 84):
- Unit 1, Unit 2, Unit 3, Unit 4, Unit 5, Unit 6, Unit 7, Unit 8: -3.907537, 122.419265
Project Details
Table 2: Unit-level details
| Unit name | Status | Fuel(s) | Capacity (MW) | Technology | Start year | Emergency/Backup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Operating | coal: unknown[1] | 30 | unknown | 2018 | False |
| Unit 2 | Operating | coal: unknown[1] | 30 | unknown | 2018 | False |
| Unit 3 | Operating | coal: unknown[1] | 50 | unknown | 2019 | False |
| Unit 4 | Operating | coal: unknown[1] | 50 | unknown | 2019 | False |
| Unit 5 | Operating | coal: unknown[1] | 60 | unknown | 2019 | False |
| Unit 6 | Operating | coal: unknown[1] | 60 | unknown | 2019 | False |
| Unit 7 | Operating | coal: unknown[1] | 125 | unknown | 2018 | False |
| Unit 8 | Operating | coal: unknown[1] | 125 | unknown | 2018 | False |
Table 3: Unit-level ownership and operator details
| Unit name | Owner | Parent |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry [100%] | unknown [100.0%] |
| Unit 2 | PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry [100%] | unknown [100.0%] |
| Unit 3 | PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry [100%] | unknown [100.0%] |
| Unit 4 | PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry [100%] | unknown [100.0%] |
| Unit 5 | PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry [100%] | unknown [100.0%] |
| Unit 6 | PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry [100%] | unknown [100.0%] |
| Unit 7 | PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry [100%] | unknown [100.0%] |
| Unit 8 | PT Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry [100%] | unknown [100.0%] |
Project-level captive use details
- Captive industry use (heat or power): power
- Captive industry: Nickel
Project-level coal details
- Coal source(s): domestic
Ownership Tree
This ownership tree is part of the Global Energy Ownership Tracker, a project of Global Energy Monitor.
Background on Project
The plant powers the Delong nickel smelter in Bondoala, Indonesia, which is operated by Virtue Dragon Nickel Industry Co. Ltd.[2] It is adjacent to the Obsidian Stainless Steel processing plant, the site of the Delong Nickel Phase II power station.
The power station is covered in various Chinese articles.[3] For example, in 2018, unit 7 was reportedly connected to the grid.[4]
Incidents and impact
In December 2020, about 800 workers protested at the Virtue Dragon Industrial Park, calling for higher salaries and permanent employment for contractors. When management refused to meet with the protestors, the demonstrators began destroying company property. Significant damage was inflicted up on the nickel production facilities, and about 40 pieces of heavy equipment were set on fire and destroyed. The protests "paralyzed" production at the plant.[5][6]
As of May 2025, cases of respiratory illness had reportedly increased in the area surrounding Delong Nickel Phase I power station.[7]
Litigation
In December 2024, the Unaaha District Court in South Sulawesi held a trial surrounding alleged human rights violations and environmental damage caused by Delong Nickel Phase I power station and Delong Nickel Phase II power station. PT VDNI and PT OSS, the owners of the power stations, were summoned but did not appear.[8]
In January 2025, PT OSS acknowledged in a later hearing that environmental degradation had occurred surrounding the industrial area. Meanwhile, PT VDNI did not submit a similar comment.[9]
In April 2025, it was revealed in the hearing that the companies had not distributed obligatory corporate social responsibility funds intended for environmental management and community welfare. Community advocates argued that environmental impact assessment (AMDAL) requirements lacked proper supervision from the government.[10]
In July 2025, Unaaha District Court officially ruled that the power station was unlawfully polluting the environment. A public advocate said: "this ruling is a clear signal that industry can no longer hide behind 'strategic' or 'investment' statuses if they are actually destroying people's living spaces. It's a reminder that respect for human rights and the environment must be a key part of national development" (Google translate).[11]
In January 2026, nearby residents made witness testimony in a court hearing, stating that the Delong Nickel Phase I and II power stations had a negative impact on their environment and livelihood.[12][13]
Articles and Resources
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 https://www.gem.wiki/Coal_source_methodology_for_the_Global_Coal_Plant_Tracker.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ One of the "Seventh Plan": the latest development of the Indonesian Delong Power Plant Project, Newnie, Oct. 28, 2018
- ↑ 公司介绍 (Company Profile), BJX, accessed in 2021
- ↑ 德龙镍业印尼公司发电厂7号机组首次并网发电成功, LCTE, Nov. 23, 2018
- ↑ Fathin Ungku and Bernadette Christina, Equipment torched as worker protest paralyzes Indonesia nickel plant, Jakarta Post, Dec. 16, 2020
- ↑ Amy Chew, Protest at China-backed nickel-smelting firm in Indonesia turns violent, with buildings and vehicles torched, South China Morning Post, Dec. 15, 2020
- ↑ Koalisi Sulawesi Desak Revisi Aturan PLTU Captive, Mongabay, May 30, 2025
- ↑ Dua PLTU Captive Morosi Mangkir di Sidang Gugatan Lingkungan, Betahita, December 26, 2024
- ↑ PT OSS Akui Ada Pencemaran Lingkungan di sekitar Area PLTU Batu Bara, Kec. Morosi Kab. Konawe Sulawesi Tenggara, Walhi, January 22, 2025
- ↑ WALHI Sultra Angkat Bicara Soal Gugatan Masyarakat Morosi Terhadap PT. OSS dan VDNI Terkait Dugaan Pencemaran Lingkungan PLTU Captive, IdeNews, April 20, 2025
- ↑ Pengadilan Nyatakan PLTU PT OSS Cemari Lingkungan, Betahita, August 5, 2025
- ↑ Gugatan RUKN: Perpanjangan Operasi PLTU Rugikan Warga Sekitar, Betahita, February 5, 2026
- ↑ Sidang Gugatan RUKN Berlanjut: Perpanjangan Operasi PLTU Rugikan Ekonomi Warga Sekitar, Walhi, February 4, 2026
Additional data
To access additional data, including an interactive map of coal-fired power stations, a downloadable dataset, and summary data, please visit the Global Coal Plant Tracker on the Global Energy Monitor website.
