SBRC IPB University and PT Artha Daya Coalindo Develop Community Biomass Ecosystem in Cinangka District, Banten
The Surfactant and Bioenergy Research Center (SBRC) of IPB University together with PT Artha Daya Coalindo (ADC) Indonesia held a Planting Ceremony and Harvesting of Energy Crops of the Community Biomass Ecosystem Program in Cinangka District, Serang Regency, Banten recently.
Dr Meika Syahbana Rusli, Chairman of SBRC IPB University revealed the importance of research and development in supporting the energy transition.
“Our research proves that Gamal and Kaliandra plants have great potential to replace coal as a renewable energy source. This is in line with the government’s efforts to realize the net zero emission target,” he said.
This ceremony is one example of the implementation of the co-firing program in Cinangka District. The program involves farming communities to plant Gamal and Kaliandra energy crops, with an intercropping system on their land. Previously, a similar program was successfully implemented in Cilacap District, Central Java.
The ceremony was also attended by PT PLN Indonesia Power (IP), Banten II Labuan Generating Business Unit (UBP), Serang Regency Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda), Cinangka Village-Owned Enterprises (Bumdes), and farmer groups and related stakeholders.
Wisnu Kurniawan, Manager of PLTU UBP Banten II Labuan explained that the co-firing program had actually started in 2015. However, at first it was still on a small scale.
“Now, with the net zero emission program and the reduction of coal use, we are targeted by the government to replace some of the coal use with biomass,” he said.
Wisnu added, “This year we have used about 80.000 tons of biomass per year, with an average of 200 to 400 tons of biomass per day received from ADC. We hope that next year the number will increase again, depending on the support of the surrounding communities and farmer groups,” he said.
Igan Wardiana Yasa, Operations Director of PT ADC, said that the key to the success of the co-firing program is the close partnership between the power plant, farmers, and all stakeholders.
“We strongly support this initiative because in addition to contributing to emission reduction, this program also provides direct benefits to local communities, such as creating new jobs and additional income for farmers,” said Igan.
Co-firing activities not only provide direct economic benefits to farmers, but also contribute to more sustainable natural resource management. The energy crops are also used as biomass fuel for the Labuan power plant.
The success of this program, according to Wisnu, is expected to become a model for biomass development in other areas, and ensure the sustainability of biomass supply for PLTU throughout Indonesia.
It should be noted that the PLTU co-firing program is a program created by PT PLN in order to increase the environmentally friendly energy mix obtained from a combination of biomass fuel mixtures with coal.
PT PLN has determined 52 PLTUs spread throughout Indonesia that will implement the co-firing program, with a total generating capacity of 18.665 MW. This program is PT PLN’s effort to achieve the renewable energy mix (EBT) target of 23 percent by 2025.
By implementing a community-based co-firing program, PLTU Labuan not only supports energy sustainability, but also improves the welfare of local farmers and creates an environmentally friendly green economy. (*/Nr) (IAAS/HLF)
