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Pertamina Gaspol Expands Self-Reliant Energy Village Program Nationwide
Pertamina Gaspol is implementing the Desa Energi Berdikari program to foster energy independence in villages through renewable biogas technology.
Jakarta - In a significant push for decentralized energy solutions, Pertamina Gas Subholding (Pertamina Gaspol) is actively expanding its flagship "Desa Energi Berdikari" program. The initiative transforms villages into centers of localized energy production, primarily by harnessing biogas from organic waste. This model is designed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, lower energy costs for rural households, and stimulate sustainable local economies.
The operational model of Desa Energi Berdikari is built on a participatory framework. Pertamina Gaspol conducts feasibility studies to identify villages with adequate raw material supplies, such as cattle manure or agricultural waste. The company then facilitates the construction of communal or household-scale biogas digesters, providing technology transfer and comprehensive training for community members to operate the systems independently.
A key driver for this program is Indonesia's substantial and growing dependence on imported LPG. By displacing the use of LPG cylinders in rural kitchens with domestically produced biogas, the program directly addresses a strategic vulnerability in the national energy supply chain. Each village that achieves energy self-reliance contributes to incremental but crucial savings in foreign exchange and subsidy allocation.
The socio-economic ripple effects of the program are profound. Households no longer need to allocate a significant portion of their income to purchasing LPG, leading to direct financial savings. The program also generates new village enterprises around biogas management and the sale of organic fertilizer, diversifying income sources and strengthening community resilience.
Sustainability is a cornerstone of the program's design. Pertamina Gaspol emphasizes community ownership from the outset. By involving local cooperatives or BUMDes (Village-Owned Enterprises) in the management and revenue-sharing models, the initiative ensures that the infrastructure is maintained and valued as a communal asset, increasing the likelihood of its long-term success.
From an environmental perspective, Desa Energi Berdikari presents a compelling case for waste-to-energy solutions. It tackles the issue of livestock waste management, converting a potential pollutant and methane emission source into a useful clean energy resource. This aligns seamlessly with Indonesia's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, promoting low-carbon development at the grassroots level.
Initial implementations in regions like East Java and Lampung have yielded positive outcomes, validating the concept. These pilot villages serve as live demonstrations, attracting interest from neighboring communities and local governments. The documented benefits, including reduced indoor air pollution from cleaner burning biogas, further bolster the program's appeal.
The future roadmap for Pertamina Gaspol involves systematically scaling this model. The subholding aims to establish hundreds of Desa Energi Berdikari across the archipelago, leveraging partnerships with ministries, regional authorities, and NGOs. This expansion is critical for achieving meaningful impact on national energy security and advancing inclusive sustainable development for all Indonesians.
(Hashim Zafran)
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