Pertamina NRE Increases PLTS Capacity By 267 Percent In 2022

Illustration. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Pertamina New & Renewable Energy (Pertamina NRE) increased the use of electricity from green energy, especially solar power in the Pertamina Group by 267 percent in 2022 compared to the capacity in the previous year.

"Pertamina NRE is the spearhead of the energy transition at Pertamina Group. Pertamina NRE's main business, which focuses on developing green energy, has contributed significantly to Pertamina's decarbonization efforts, especially from electricity supply activities based on green energy," said Pertamina NRE Corporate Secretary Dicky Septriadi in a statement in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Friday, July 7.

Pertamina Group itself has net zero emissions (NZE) aspirations no later than 2060 for coverage 1 and 2. This target is achieved through two strategic initiatives, namely decarbonizing businesses that are run and building new, more environmentally friendly businesses.

Decarbonization is done, one of which is by converting the use of fossil energy-based electricity with renewable energy. In this initiative, Pertamina NRE plays the role of implementing PLTS in the operational areas and offices of Pertamina Group.

Dicky said the significant increase in installed capacity until April 2023 could not be separated from Pertamina's strong commitment to reducing emissions from its business activities.

At the end of 2021, Pertamina Group's internal solar power plant (PLTS) reached 7.8 megawatt peak (MWp) and by the end of 2022 it had reached a total of 28.6 MWp, an increase of 267 percent. Meanwhile, the decrease in emissions from internal PLTS at the end of 2022 reached 7,316 tons equivalent to CO2. The decline increased by 38 percent compared to the end of the previous year.

Meanwhile, specifically at the internal Pertamina Group, until the end of 2022 PLTS has been installed at more than 20 points consisting of upstream oil and gas operations areas, refineries, fuel terminals, LPG terminals, DPPU, offices and housing. The large-scale PLTS capacity in Rokan, Riau, where phase 1 of 26 MWp has started construction and 17 MWp has been installed.

In addition, Pertamina NRE also supports efforts to decarbonize at the front line of Pertamina, namely gas stations. Currently, roof PLTS has been installed at 332 Pertamina gas stations with a total capacity of around 1.7 MWp.

In addition to the decarbonization initiative, Pertamina NRE also plays a strategic role in the initiative to build new businesses that contribute to achieving NZE 2060 aspirations, including building battery ecosystems and electric vehicles, developing clean hydrogen, and the carbon business.

Pertamina NRE stated its commitment to participate in accelerating the energy transition in Indonesia and managing responsible businesses through the implementation of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG).

"We focus on accelerating green energy, continuing to accelerate guarding the energy transition, not only for Pertamina but for Indonesia," said Dicky.

Meanwhile, Vice President of Corporate Communication of PT Pertamina (Persero) Fadjar Djoko Santoso explained that Pertamina has developed strategic initiatives to expand the use of new and renewable energy (EBT) to achieve the NZE 2060 target. Through Pertamina NRE subholding, Pertamina encourages all entities in the Pertamina Group to support the energy transition.

"The EBT development project continues, including PLTS. Utilization within the Pertamina Group shows our commitment to encouraging sustainability. In addition, Pertamina also continues to collaborate with various industries so that the development of EBT is wider," said Fadjar.