This study focuses on a comparative analysis of the use of Thyristors and Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT)-based inverters in the performance of Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) systems at PLTU Indramayu. The background of this research stems from the limitations in switching control and high power consumption in Thyristor-based
ESP systems, which can trigger disturbances such as flashovers and reduce particle collection efficiency. The objective of this study is to analyze the differences in output voltage, current, active power, and switching response between the two technologies, and to evaluate the extent to which IGBT inverters improve the overall efficiency of ESP systems. The research employs a quantitative approach through simulations conducted using MATLAB/Simulink 2023a. Simulation results indicate that IGBT inverters produce more responsive voltage and current waveforms, along with lower active power consumption compared to Thyristors, making the system more energy-efficient and adaptable to disturbances. These findings are expected to serve as a reference for optimizing emission control systems in coal-fired power plants and to support Indonesia’s energy transition goals toward achieving Net Zero Emissions by 2060.