Kickstarting Decarbonization, Pertamina Inaugurates Solar Power Plant at Balongan Refinery

Indramayu, February 20, 2024 - PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional (KPI) Refinery Unit VI Balongan officially inaugurated a 1.51 Megawatt peak (MWp) Solar Power Plant (PLTS) on Monday (February 19). The construction of this PLTS is a result of synergy within the Pertamina Group, between KPI and Pertamina New & Renewable Energy (Pertamina NRE).

The inauguration was led by the Director of Operations of KPI, Didik Bahagia, and Director of Projects & Operations of Pertamina NRE, Norman Ginting, along with GM of Refinery Unit VI Balongan, Sugeng Firmanto, and VP of Infrastructure Master Plan of Pertamina, Muhammad Yasir Arofat. The PLTS, with a total installed capacity of 1.51 MWp, is built in two separate areas, amounting to 1 MWp and 0.51 MWp. This solar power plant supplies electricity to residential areas within the Balongan Refinery.

"We are proud to be part of the decarbonization efforts undertaken at Kilang Pertamina Internasional. The PLTS utilization at the Balongan Refinery is one of the collaborations between Pertamina NRE and Kilang Pertamina Internasional. We believe that solid synergy will strengthen efforts to achieve Pertamina's net-zero emission aspirations," said Norman Ginting, Director of Projects & Operations of Pertamina NRE, during the PLTS inauguration.

Norman further emphasized that Pertamina's decarbonization initiative is a serious effort and part of Pertamina's commitment to implementing ESG aspects. This commitment is proven by Pertamina's improving ESG scores each year.

At the same event, the Director of Operations of KPI, Didik Bahagia, expressed KPI's high commitment to supporting decarbonization in operational units. "By integrating decarbonization into our operational units, KPI is ready to make a real and positive impact on the environment while contributing to the global sustainability goals achievement," said Didik Bahagia.

Apart from enhancing power supply reliability, this PLTS also demonstrates Balongan Refinery's commitment to decarbonization, which is part of the ESG rating implementation for KPI and Pertamina. With this PLTS, an estimated energy distribution of 781 MWh per year is expected, leading to a reduction of nearly 600 tons of CO2 emissions per year.

Overall, up to this point, the installed PLTS capacity in KPI's operational areas has reached 9.87 MWp, including Dumai Refinery (3.77 MW), Plaju Refinery (2.25 MW), Balongan Refinery (1.51 MW), and Cilacap Refinery (2.34 MW). The accumulated energy distributed has reached 10 million kWh, resulting in a reduction of over 6 million tons of CO2 emissions, equivalent to planting seven thousand mature trees.

Vice President of Corporate Communication of PT Pertamina (Persero), Fadjar Djoko Santoso, added that to accelerate low-carbon business realization, Pertamina encourages strengthening synergy and collaboration across all Pertamina Group business lines so that Indonesia's Net Zero Emission target for 2060 can be achieved.

"Low-carbon businesses have high potential in the energy transition era. Thus, all sub-holdings and subsidiaries involvement is required. One way is through PLTS utilization at Pertamina's internal locations," said Fadjar.

Pertamina shares an aspiration aligned with the government's, aiming to achieve net-zero emissions by no later than 2060. This aspiration is achieved through two initiatives: decarbonization and low-carbon businesses, as well as carbon offset.

Pertamina, as a leading company in the energy transition, is committed to supporting the Net Zero Emission 2060 target by continuously promoting programs that directly impact the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement. All these efforts align with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) implementation across all Pertamina's business lines and operations.**