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Pertamina continues its renewables acceleration in Merbabu Asih, Cirebon
As a Climate Village Program (ProKlim) village, the people of Merbabu Asih Diversity Village in Larangan village, Cirebon, West Java, have been utilizing renewable energy in their economic and environmental activities.
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s a Climate Village Program (ProKlim) village, the people of Merbabu Asih Diversity Village in Larangan village, Cirebon, West Java, have been utilizing renewable energy in their economic and environmental activities. The program’s benefits to the community are realized through the installation of a solar power plant (SPP), which is part of the Village Energy Independence (DEB) program by Pertamina through Pertamina Hulu Energi Offshore North West Java (PHE ONWJ).
The SPP has supported various economic activities by the Merbabu Asih Diversity Village community, such as the ProKlim batik production activities, micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) development, hydroponic cultivation, biopore and oxygen zone creation, as well as a waste bank.
PHE ONWJ subholding upstream Pertamina Java regional head of communication, relations, and CID Zone 5 R. Ery Ridwan said the benefits of the program align with Pertamina’s corporate social responsibility and environmental (CSR&E) commitments. "The Diversity Village has great potential that could be developed, especially in terms of energy needs. Therefore, the installation of solar panels was carried out. In addition to meeting energy needs, this [the SPP installation] can also continue to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, which will create energy and economic independence for the community," said Ery.
The SPP has a capacity of 3.72 kWp, with a 5 kWh lithium battery and is estimated to have reduced carbon dioxide emissions by 4,800 kgCO2eq/year. Furthermore, the renewable-energy plant also results in Rp 7.8 million of savings per year in the local community's electricity costs.
RW 08 Merbabu Asih head Agus Supriono said the renewable-energy plant had raised the villagers’ awareness of environmentally friendly energy needs. "Pertamina's solar panels have broadened our horizons regarding the availability of local energy sources. In addition to conducting more effective economic activities, we can also further contribute to environmental preservation in the areas of environmental management that we know of – especially in the Merbabu Asih area," said Agus.
Since 2019, the DEB program has generated 170.8 kWp of solar power, 605,000 m3/year of biogas and methane gas energy, 8 kW of microhydro energy, 6,500 liters of biodiesel energy per year, as well as 16.5 kWp of hybrid solar and wind power plant (SWPP) energy. All of that power generation from renewables resulted in a reduction of carbon emissions by 565,928 tonsCO2eq/year.
The DEB program also plays a role in meeting the general public’s energy needs and has an economic impact on 3,021 households with a total multiplier effect of Rp 1.8 billion per year. It is hoped that the public can develop their economic potential through Pertamina’s DEB program by way of various types of training to enhance their capacity, MSME product development, as well as education related to the use and maintenance of renewable facilities.
In addition to being a tangible action in supporting the implementation of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles by the company, Pertamina’s DEB program also supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), namely SDG 7 on Clean and Affordable Energy, SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 13 on Climate Action, as well as the government's efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2060.
