Gasblock, the Latest Icon of Energy Village at the Balkondes PGN Karangrejo
Magelang, March 7, 2022 – Pertamina's Gas Subholding, PT PGN Tbk, is committed to advancing the Village Economic Center (Balkondes) in Karangrejo Borobudur Village, Magelang, and supporting the government's super-priority destination program.
Recently, PGN Karangrejo Balkondes introduced Gasblock as the newest icon of the Karangrejo Balkondes. It is a manifestation of energy interaction and collaboration, both environmentally friendly natural gas as well as the unique, beautiful, and rich Indonesian culture PGN Energy Village.
Several new facilities were added to increase comfort and attract tourists. To realize energy collaboration in the beautiful landscape of Borobudur, PGN built a gas pipeline of 3,900 meters to serve 204 Household Natural Gas Network Connections for residents around the Balconydes, precisely in the Kretek and Bumen hamlets through PGN Solution.
As an attractive and unique new icon, Gasblock installed a Meter Regulating System (MRS) monument measuring G.1600, which is usually used for industrial customers and Bulk customers with pipe diameters of 12 inches and 16 inches. Furthermore, natural gas energy can be used to power water heater homestays of balkondes, torch tables in several locations, eternal fire torches at several points.
The Karangrejo Balkondes is built as a forum and a form of unity between the company and the community to improve the surrounding community's economic empowerment. Moreover, it also introduces Karangrejo Village as an energy village," said General Manager of Sales Operation Region 3, Central Java Region (SOR 3), Iwan Yuli Widyastato, in his speech at the celebration of Balkondes PGN Karangrejo, (05/03/2022).
Karangrejo Energy Village has been certified, proving that this homestay service is reliable. Balkondes PGN Karangrejo has homestay services consisting of 4 (four) family homestays, 2 (two) couple homestays, and 4 (four) single rooms. In addition, there are also restaurants, meeting rooms, and weeding rooms.
Subianto, as the Head of the Borobudur Sub-district, said that currently, the progress of Karangrejo is a hot topic of discussion. One of them is because of Balkondes PGN Karangrejo. The community's collaboration with the local government is hoped to serve as a model for the other 19 villages in Borobudur.
"InsyaAllah, we will become an independent sub-district soon. Starting from a village that is budget independent. Karangrejo Village is one of the villages in Borobudur that has independence from a budget perspective, not only from village funds," he continued.
The Karangrejo Village Community is encouraged to actively manage Balkondes. All proceeds from tourism activities in Karangrejo Village will go to the village authority so that they can benefit the surrounding community.
Subianto revealed that during the pandemic, BalkondesKarangrejo can get an income of 200 million PAD. It means that Karangrejo Village is not affected by the pandemic. Therefore, let's share the power of togetherness more widely and spread it to other villages.
"I am very proud and grateful to PGN for accompanying us in Borobudur, especially in Karangrejo," said Subianto.
The Head of Karangrejo Village, Muhammad Heli Rofikun, explained that Karangrejo Village must be the support for Borobudur Temple. Balkondes is also one of the tourist attractions of Karangrejo Village tourism in providing original village income for the Karangrejo Village Government. Currently, many residents are working at Balkondes Karangrejo.
"Alhamdulillah, so far, we have been supported by PGN for tourism development in our village. First, we have established a Balkondes, new spots developments which PGN has also given to the Karangrejo Village Government," said Heli.
"It is hoped that with the presence of PGN, it can encourage economic progress and empower local communities independently and sustainably align with the spirit of energizing community of Pertamina Gas Subholding," stated Iwan.**