PIS Gandeng Divers Clean Action Kembangkan Desa Energi Berdikari Keluarga Fisherman Lestari

The fisherman of Kelan Village uses an electric boat engine. (Photo: Maria Trisnawati/VOI)

BADUNG - PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) together with the Divers Clean Action (DCA) presented the Desa Energi Berdikari Village program Lestari Fisherman's Family (DEB KENALI).

PT Pertamina International Shipping's Corporate Secretary, Muhammad Baron, said that the program, which was launched in 2024, is a CSR program to answer the challenges of small fishing communities in facing limited access to environmentally friendly energy, the impact of climate change, and economic pressure due to high operational costs.

"This initiative focuses on utilizing clean energy technology to support fishermen's activities, such as using electric-based ship engines and building solar charging stations, as well as encouraging diversification of ecotourism-based livelihoods and waste management," said Baron, Wednesday, October 8.

According to him, the energy transition needs to be processed to prioritize the community level, especially in fishing communities which are at the forefront of marine food security.

In Kelan Village, he continued, the use of electric-based boat engines is a real step towards low-emission coastal communities, with the application of technology that is tailored to the character and dynamics of small-scale fisheries, the economic foundation of local residents.

He added that the KENALI Program is an important momentum for coastal communities to play an active role in efforts to achieve renewable energy through the application of efficient and environmentally friendly technology.

In addition to contributing to emission reduction, this initiative also strengthens the resilience and economic resilience of fishermen's families, making them more independent and adaptive to social and environmental changes due to climate change.

"We see that the challenges of fishermen are not only about the economy, but also about the sustainability of their lives in the midst of climate change and energy constraints. Through KENALI, we want to present a green technology solution that can reduce costs as well as open up new opportunities for coastal communities," he explained.

Baron explained that the KENALI program itself carries three main pillars, namely Renewable Energy through the application of electric engines for fishing boats, the construction of solar charging stations, and the provision of solar energy-based public facilities.

Next is the Community Empowerment where PIS also participates in assisting fishermen to develop business diversification such as mangrove tourism, fishing trip, bird watching, coastal culinary (blue foods), and community-based waste management.

"Lastly, Financial Literacy where empowering female fishermen through family financial literacy and increasing financial access for micro-enterprises," he continued.

Baron explained that Kelan Village, Badung Regency, Bali, will be the first location for the implementation of this program since 2024. Various derivative activities from the three main pillars have been carried out with 117 community members, such as the procurement of renewable energy engines, installation of solar panels, development of mangrove ecotourism, training on ecotourism and blue food, financial literacy, and education on waste management to 161 households.

The benefits of the DEB KENALI program are now starting to be felt by the community. For example, reducing emissions up to 62 kg of CO2 in 2 months using electric boat engines, increasing fishermen's income, and the formation of micro-based enterprises based on local resources through activities such as mangrove ecotripe and processed sea fish.

"This program also facilitates the trial of transporting sorted waste together with TPS3R, Traditional Villages, and collectors which are now running well," he said.