PLN EPI Invest Develop Sorgum for Biomass

Cooperation (Photo: unsplash)

JAKARTA - PT PLN Energi Primer Indonesia (PLN EPI) through PLN EPI Investasi has established a strategic collaboration with PT Young Aviation Indonesia and PT Berkah Inti Daya through the signing of a memorandum of understanding or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the management of the potential utilization of energy and food crops sorghum as a biomass source.

PLN EPI Investment President Director, Yongky Permana Ramlan, said that this cooperation opens up new opportunities in the development of sustainable biomass-based energy in Indonesia. In addition, this collaboration also includes joint studies related to investment, technical, and commercial aspects in the development of sorghum energy crops.

"We hope that the collaboration of various parties in the utilization of sorghum can increase the capacity of national biomass production while ensuring the sustainability of supply for PLN power plant needs," explained Yongky, Thursday, March 26.

Meanwhile, the President Director of PT Young Aviation Indonesia, Jung Young Geun, revealed that his party had conducted a trial of sorghum planting with promising results.

"We have proven that sorghum has high productivity where 1 hectare can produce 65 tons of biomass. So, with these results, we are optimistic that the development of sorghum as biomass can be implemented on a wider scale," explained Jung.

President Director of PT Berkah Inti Daya, Eri Prabowo, emphasized that this initiative is a new breakthrough, not only in Indonesia but also has the potential to be a pioneer at the global level in the use of sorghum as biomass.

"We believe sorghum can be a strategic alternative to biomass. In fact, this has the potential to be a game changer in the development of biomass for co-firing coal," said Eri.

PLN EPI Biomass Director, Hokkop Situngkir, emphasized the importance of accelerating the preparation of a business plan to ensure the sustainability of the project, including aspects of economics and scale of implementation.

He also conveyed that this program received strong support from various ministries, including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/BPN, the Ministry of Villages, and the Ministry of Cooperatives.

"With the support of a strong ecosystem and multi-party collaboration, we are optimistic that the development of sorghum can be a strategic solution in strengthening the energy mix while creating economic added value for the community," said Hokkop.