Pertamina Group Utilizes Green Energy for Sehati Hydroponic Community in Dumai City

Dumai, July 12, 2024 - Hydroponics has become a modern agricultural trend, utilizing limited yard space at home. This type of farming has become increasingly popular since the COVID-19 pandemic, as hydroponic plant cultivation can provide additional income, making it widely used by the community. Seeing this phenomenon, Pertamina Group, through its sub-holding PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional (KPI) - Dumai Unit and Pertamina New & Renewable Energy (Pertamina NRE), implemented the Desa Energi Berdikari (DEB) program by building solar power plants (PLTS) to support the village community's energy needs.

As developed in the Sehati Group, one of the KPI-assisted community groups successfully cultivates lettuce and mustard greens using hydroponic planting media. This group can produce tens of kilograms of vegetables monthly from each member's "Green House". It is a health group for mothers and children (Sehati) from Tanjung Palas Village, East Dumai District, Dumai City.

"Since November 2022, we started hydroponic plant cultivation thanks to the encouragement and guidance provided by PT KPI Dumai Unit," said Yani, one of the members of the Sehati group who is active in hydroponics.

Through hydroponic cultivation, she feels many benefits. These include fulfilling daily food needs, strengthening nutrition in the Sehati group's Posyandu activities, and contributing about IDR 1,000,000 to the economy each month. "The challenge of hydroponic cultivation is the cost of electricity needed for its operations," added Yani.

To address this challenge, PT KPI Dumai Unit and Pertamina New & Renewable Energy (Pertamina NRE) implemented the Desa Energi Berdikari (DEB) program by building solar power plants (PLTS) for the Sehati hydroponic group. The symbolic handover of the 2.2 kWp off-grid PLTS & 5 kWh battery storage was held at the Tanjung Palas Village Office Hall, Dumai City, on Tuesday (7/9).

The construction of the PLTS in Dumai complements Pertamina Group's efforts to build renewable energy facilities in villages that need access to renewable energy in Indonesia after previously building similar facilities in Tanggamus Regency, Lampung, Muara Enim, Bali, Aceh, and dozens of other villages in Indonesia under the Desa Energi Berdikari concept.

As the bearer of energy transition at Pertamina, Corporate Secretary of Pertamina NRE, Dicky Septriadi, stated that Pertamina NRE is striving to continuously involve the community and Pertamina Group in actively participating in and developing new renewable energy. "We are proud of this collaboration and hope to support more locations in utilizing renewable energy and educating the public about the energy transition," explained Dicky.

"Pertamina Group synergizes to develop villages in Indonesia by providing new and renewable energy (NRE). What we provide is Pertamina's commitment to introducing and utilizing renewable energy as an alternative to fossil energy," said Agustiawan, Area Manager of Communication, Relations, & CSR of PT KPI Dumai Unit.

Agustiawan added that Pertamina is currently collaborating with its operating units to build three PLTS units spread across several points in Dumai City through the CSR development program of the Pertamina Dumai Refinery. He hopes that this assistance is utilized and maintained as best as possible so that the benefits of PLTS assistance can be enjoyed.

Zainur, the East Dumai District Head who attended the event, also expressed his appreciation for the assistance provided by Pertamina NRE and PT KPI Dumai Unit.

"The socialization we received today is expected to increase knowledge and insight for hydroponic activists in utilizing clean energy in East Dumai District. The activities fostered by KPI Dumai have been operated and helped the local economy by collaborating with community groups and the PKK. Hopefully, this activity will be better and more positive in the future," concluded Zainur.

Vice President of Corporate Communication of PT Pertamina (Persero), Fadjar Djoko Santoso, revealed that Pertamina supports the new renewable energy development initiative and decarbonization carried out by Pertamina NRE and KPI. This effort reflects Pertamina Group's commitment to socializing transitional energy while raising public awareness to participate in emission reductions.

"Pertamina invites all parties, including the community, to participate in decarbonization efforts, such as using new renewable energy. This program is beneficial in maintaining environmental balance while helping the community to improve its economy," Fadjar explained.

The initiatives in developing new and renewable energy and decarbonization carried out by Pertamina NRE and KPI are integrated parts of implementing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects and support for the Sustainable Development Goals, especially goal 13, which is to combat climate change.

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 & Governance (ESG) implementation across all Pertamina's business lines and operations.**