The Ministry Of Industry Asks The Industrial Sector To Take Advantage Of Solar Energy

Photo: Doc. Antara

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) asked the industrial sector to utilize solar energy to encourage the creation of an environmentally friendly and global competitive industrial sector through the implementation of green economy, green technology, and green products.Secretary of the Directorate General of Resilience, Region, and International Industrial Access (KPAII) of the Ministry of Industry (KPAII) Jonni Afrizon said the government is committed to dealing with the issue of climate change with various steps and policies, including the efforts of the Ministry of Industry together with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) to accelerate the use of solar energy. "Therefore, contributions from all parties are urgently needed, including from the industrial sector as a user of 31 percent of the total national energy consumption," he said in a statement in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Friday 11 August.Jonni said the use of solar panels is an optimal solution for the industrial sector that uses energy in high and intensive quantities, in addition to being able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to transitional steps towards renewable energy. Therefore, the Ministry of Industry welcomes both PT Unilever Indonesia, which has built a solar panel installation project with a capacity of 2.5 MWp on beauty & wellbeing and nutrition factories located in the Jababeka Industrial Zone, Cikarang, West Java. "We highly appreciate PT Unilever Indonesia for which it has supported the government's efforts in reducing emissions significantly and is an example of a company in the Jababeka Industrial Zone through the use of solar panels," he said. The Ministry of Industry also gives appreciation to PT Jababeka Tbk which has already encouraged and supported tenants in emission reduction, the circular economy so that industrial management efficiency is formed. With a capacity of 2.5 MWp, the solar panel to be integrated in collaboration with Cikarang Listindo is one of the largest in Jababeka. The President Director of Unilever Indonesia Ira Noviarti conveyed the company's commitment to fully support the government's agenda in terms of renewable energy and net zero emissions targets.

Installation of solar panels in two company-owned factories will be able to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 1,500 tons per year, equivalent to planting 20,000 trees. "The challenge of climate change requires the involvement of all parties. As a company that has been operating in the country for nearly 90 years, we have always taken concrete action through a series of programs under a global strategy of 'The Unilever Compass' whose first pillar is building more sustainable planets," he explained. In addition to suppressing emissions, the installation of solar panels also supports the efficiency efforts that continue to be carried out on the operational side. In the midst of volatile commodity prices, especially natural gas as one of the main ingredients of power generation, electricity obtained from solar panels will potentially save costs. "This is an important milestone for us in an ongoing effort to reduce environmental footprint by promoting sustainable practices across the company's value chains. Hopefully more companies will join in the same effort, so that collectively we can create a more efficient and environmentally friendly industrial climate," he said.