Ulubelu, 'The Land of Three Energies'
March 14, 2024 - Today feels different for Edi (26), a young man from Ulubelu, Tanggamus Regency, Lampung. Today marks the first day of Solar Power Plant (PLTS) usage in the hydroponic melon greenhouse owned by the youth farming group he leads. As part of Indonesia's energy transition process, Edi and his friends utilize PLTS built by Pertamina New & Renewable Energy (Pertamina NRE) to electrify the hydroponic fruit plantation they manage.
Renewable energy has transformed how Edi and the community perceive the world and the village where he grew up. The scorching sun rays he encounters on his way to his hydroponic greenhouse are no longer a complaint. The rows of geothermal pipes on the side of his village road serve as a reminder that this is Indonesia's future. The sunlight now supplies electricity to his beloved hydroponic plantation and geothermal energy that has been powering his village all along. Yes, Muara Dua Village, where he lives and earns a living, is located near the Ulubelu Geothermal Power Plant (PLTP) Area operated by PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy (PGE) Tbk, a subsidiary of Pertamina NRE. The hydroponic melon plantation he runs with his colleagues is also a partner of PGE.
"Since the installation of PLTS, on hot days, I feel even more motivated because it means the water pump and hydroponic nutrient irrigation system will run smoothly, with more efficient electricity costs," Edi says.
Located at the foot of Mount Tanggamus, Ulubelu, inhabited by approximately 44,000 people, is PGE's geothermal working area with an installed capacity of 4x55 MW. This generation supports 25% of Lampung Province's electricity needs. PGE has been developing geothermal in the Ulubelu area since 2011 and has been utilized by approximately 244,000 households, reducing emissions rates, thereby maintaining environmental cleanliness and contributing positively to efforts to achieve greener and more environmentally friendly energy with the potential to reduce emissions by up to 1,144,000 +CO2 per year.
Edi's daily work area no longer depends on conventional energy sources. Now, natural solar power can operate its greenhouse. For Edi, the presence of renewable energy sources is a blessing for Ulubelu, a district he deeply loves. Edy is aware that Ulubelu's productive activities are now assisted by alternative energy sources.
Not only proud to be part of green energy utilization efforts, Edi feels the real benefits of using PLTS for his greenhouse, including saving on electricity costs. According to him, since PLTS was installed in his greenhouse, his group could save IDR 200 thousand every month. For Edi and his farming group, the amount is significant for increasing profits from their hydroponic melon plantation.
Not stopping there, the innovation of providing green energy also comes in the form of Microhydro Power Plants (PLTMH) utilizing river water flow in Air Abang Village, Ulubelu District. This PLTMH has had a significant impact on the village that previously had no electricity supply at all. Now mosques, prayer rooms, schools, and 60 houses are illuminated by green energy from PLTMH.
"This is our commitment to sustainability," explained Dicky Septriadi, Corporate Secretary of Pertamina NRE. "We want to contribute to the development of energy transition that is implemented and directly felt by the community. Being a company that has a positive impact on the surrounding environment is one of the fundamentals of our sustainable spirit," Dicky continued.
Ulubelu continues to evolve into the "Land of Three Energies." With sustainability as the common thread, Ulubelu continues to collaborate with the government, businesses, and the strong commitment of the local community. Geothermal, solar, and water become unlimited energy sources that, if managed well, will benefit the people of Ulubelu and the global environment.
"We are proud to collaborate with Pertamina in developing our region; we are grateful that Ulubelu is blessed with not just one but multiple renewable energy sources. Hopefully, we can be an example for other areas in the fulfilling community energy concept," said Mahidin, the District Head of Ulubelu.
Vice President of Corporate Communication of Pertamina, Fadjar Djoko Santoso, added that Pertamina's innovation in the surrounding communities of its operational areas is an effort to introduce the benefits of transition energy, in line with Pertamina's commitment to support the government's target of achieving Net Zero Emission (NZE) by 2060.
"Pertamina, as a world-class energy company, continues to innovate its business operations to be more environmentally friendly. At the same time, Pertamina carries out the TJSL program to maintain environmental sustainability, thereby continuously reducing emissions," said Fadjar.
For Pertamina NRE, which operates a green business, technological innovation is an important aspect and strategy. Therefore, developing clean energy for Ulubelu is the right step, especially in guarding the energy transition in Indonesia and supporting the achievement of the Net Zero Emission 2060 aspiration. It follows Pertamina NRE's commitment to implementing ESG aspects in its business activities.
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.**