Empowering Communities with Clean Energy, Pertamina Plaju Refinery Emerges as "Winner" at the Prestigious World Petroleum Council Excellence Awards 2023
Canada, September 26, 2023 - PT Pertamina International Refinery Unit III Plaju remains committed as a world-class oil and gas company that demonstrates care for the communities development and empowerment, especially in harnessing new and renewable energy sources potentials.
This commitment led Pertamina Plaju Refinery to be the Winner at the World Petroleum Council (WPC) Excellence Awards 2023 in Calgary, Canada, on September 21, 2023.
Pertamina's oil refinery in Palembang, South Sumatra, is the only company representing Indonesia and Southeast Asia that exceeded 400 other nominees and finalists because it operates with high social sensitivity to the community through the "Self-Reliant Energy Village (Desa Energi Berdikari or DEB)" program that benefits local communities.
The award was presented by The President of WPC Energy, Pedro Miras, to Siti Rachmi Indahsari, the Area Manager of Communication, Relations & CSR at Pertamina Plaju Refinery, accompanied by Ahmad Adi Suhendra (Jr. Officer II CSR & SMEPP) and Daniswara Krisna Prabatha (Engineer I Offsite & Product Distribution Process).
Pedro expressed the positive atmosphere created by the productive works and dialogues of the WPCEA 2023 participants. "Over the past week, we have witnessed significant progress and productive dialogues," he said.
Furthermore, he emphasized WPC Energy's vision as a global oil and gas organization that facilitates open dialogue about the oil, gas, and energy industry and products and how a company can contribute to creating a better life. Social responsibility is one of the award categories at WPCEA.
Two Leading CSR/Sustainable Programs
The Pertamina Plaju Refinery's CSR/Sustainable programs that led to its victory at the WPC Excellence Awards 2023 titled "Lighting More Hopes (Desa Energi Berdikari)" under the Social Responsibility category
The Self-Reliant Energy Village program, presented in the paper titled "Lighting More Hopes: Enhancing Livelihood of Rural Communities through Empowerment in Sustainable and Cleaner Energy Sources," originated from several villages in South Sumatra without electricity for decades. However, they had consistent water flow and ample sunlight potential.
As a result, Pertamina Plaju Refinery developed the Self-Reliant Energy Village, allowing the community to access electricity through a Micro Hydro Power Plant (PLTMH) with a capacity of 28 kWh and a Solar Power Plant (PLTS) with 8.2 kWp capacity, all based on sustainable community empowerment.
Previously, the same program received international recognition at the International CSR Excellence Awards 2022 in London as a Runner-Up at the WPC Excellence Award 2021 in Houston, USA, making it a finalist in the Social Responsibility category at the WPC Excellence Awards 2023.
Additionally, the Climate Village Program (Kampung Iklim) also made it as a finalist with a paper titled "Empowering Local Heroes Leadership: How Cultural Understanding Can Empower Local Leaders in Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Efforts," addressing urban climate change challenges.
This program aims to reduce the climate change impact on communities around the Pertamina Plaju Refinery's operational area through sustainable community empowerment and environmental management.
It systematically measures the program's impact. The program has successfully created more sustainable actions and prepared the community to face climate change.
Upholding Collective Commitment
Yulianto Triwibowo, the General Manager of Pertamina Plaju Refinery, expressed their commitment to continue contributing to community and environmental development through sustainable CSR/Sustainable programs.
"Our commitment to benefit the communities and the environment realized through various programs that promote self-sufficiency and raise sustainable climate action awareness," said Yulianto.
He continued, with support from parties, the company could achieve global recognition. "We express our gratitude to all stakeholders involved, including government agencies, communities, and academics," he added.
Yulianto expressed immense gratitude that Pertamina Plaju Refinery, as the sole representative from Indonesia and Southeast Asia, could enhance the region's and country's reputation on the global stage by being the Winner at this prestigious event.
"This is an award for everyone involved in the efforts and collective commitment of Pertamina Plaju Refinery's stakeholders in creating a better world through the Self-Reliant Energy Village (DEB) and Climate Village (Proklim) programs. We appreciate all parties involved in the success of these programs," he concluded.
Supporting SDGs & ESG
Through these two submitted programs, Pertamina Plaju Refinery fully supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation, particularly Goal 7, which aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Another relevant SDG is Goal 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Furthermore, these programs align with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, particularly in environmental and social responsibility.