Independent Energy Village "Wasteco" by Pertamina Hulu Mahakam Consistently Transforms Waste into Fuel for 1,250 Household Beneficiaries

Jakarta, July 6, 2023 - PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) is committed to converting waste into renewable energy through the Waste to Energy for Community (Wasteco) CSR Program. Household waste processed at Wasteco is utilized as methane fuel for the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) development in the Manggar Village, Balikpapan. Wasteco has successfully transformed waste, reduced carbon emissions, and generated economic benefits for the surrounding residents.

In charge of Wasteco, Frans A. A. Hukom, the Head of Communication Relations & CID Zone 8, was selected as a speaker at the 7th Waste Management & Waste to Energy Asia Summit 2023. In this international forum held in Jakarta from June 14 to 16, 2023, Frans presented Wasteco as part of Pertamina's Desa Energi Berdikari (Independent Energy Village) initiative to support clean, affordable, and sustainable energy access availability.

"Wasteco integrates PHM's core competencies with six oil and gas technologies implementation in capturing and distributing methane gas, which has already benefited 1,250 beneficiaries," explained Frans.

The 7th Waste Management & Waste to Energy Asia Summit 2023 was held offline again since the Covid-19 pandemic. Previously, the event took place in several countries, such as Thailand and Vietnam. This time, the program included exhibitions, summits, panel discussions, and field visits to the Merah Putih Waste-to-Energy Power Plant (PLTSa) in Bantar Gebang. The event was attended by over 200 delegates from various countries, including ministries, local governments, national and multinational companies, as well as NGOs.

In his keynote speech, Trois Dili Susendi, the Coordinator of Investment and Cooperation in the Directorate of Bioenergy at the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, revealed, "The Indonesian government is currently working on the Renewable Energy Act. This forum is expected to become one of the drivers to accelerate enacting the legislation process."

Dony Indrawan, the Manager of Communication Relations & CID PT Regional 3 Kalimantan, emphasized the company's commitment to implementing community development programs or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives that support sustainable development goals (SDGs) achievement. The Wasteco program aligns with the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles implementation and supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7, 8, and 13 achievements.

"Wasteco has successfully produced 594,000 m3 of methane gas per year, which is used by the community with a household cost efficiency of IDR 420 million per year and reduces the potential for carbon dioxide emissions by 288,449 tons CO2eq per year," explained Dony.

The Vice President of Corporate Communication of PT Pertamina (Persero) revealed that Wasteco is part of Pertamina’s Desa Energi Berdikari initiative. Desa Energi Berdikari aims to provide access to Renewable Energy to communities as a solution to the increasing energy needs. This program has been implemented in 47 villages, utilizing various energy sources such as Solar Power Plants, Micro Hydro, Methane Gas, Biogas, and Biogas Energy converted from household waste, as well as electricity generated from hybrid energy sources such as solar and wind power.

"We engage various elements of society to work together in realizing clean energy and facilitating energy access. This program is expected to support economic development and empower communities towards sustainable self-reliance," said Fadjar.

PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) is a subsidiary of PHI that operates upstream oil and gas activities based on the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles in the Mahakam Working Area in East Kalimantan. PHM, with its subsidiaries and other PHI affiliates, carries out innovative Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Responsibility programs in Economy, Education, Health, Environment, Infrastructure, and Disaster Response to support sustainable community empowerment and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement.**