economy

The Minister Of Environment Appreciates PTPN IV PalmCo For Its Support In Decarbonization Efforts

The Minister of Environment and Head of the Environmental Control Agency (BPLH) of Indonesia, Hanif Faisol Nurofiq, praised the concrete actions of Sub Holding PTPN III (Persero), PT Perkebunan Nusantara IV PalmCo, in supporting the national decarbonization program. Hanif expressed this appreciation during his visit to the Biogas Power Plant (PLTBg) Pagar Merbau PTPN IV Regional II in Deli Serdang on Friday, November 29, 2024.

Hanif stated that the use of renewable technology, such as the management of methane gas at the Pagar Merbau PLTBg, reflects PTPN IV PalmCo's commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible natural resource management. "We appreciate PTPN IV for its breakthroughs and innovations, including PLTBg, cofiring, SAF, and more. This strengthens our role as the government to seriously study decarbonization efforts," he said.

According to Hanif, the 18 million palm oil plantations in Indonesia currently produce around 910 thousand tons of Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME), equivalent to 36 million tCO2eq of greenhouse gas emissions. This is the amount the government aims to reduce. In addition to lowering greenhouse gas emissions, Hanif noted that reducing POME is part of the government's strategy to combat the black campaign against palm oil. "If we can capture 36 million tCO2eq, we can fulfill Indonesia's promise to the international community for reducing greenhouse gas emissions," he added.

During this visit, the President Director of PTPN IV PalmCo, Jatmiko K. Santosa, thanked Minister Hanif for taking the time to visit the Pagar Merbau PLTBg. From 2020 to 2024, this power plant has supplied electricity to the community through PLN, amounting to 16.8 MWh. This translates to additional revenue of Rp17.6 billion and a reduction of 54 thousand tCO2eq in greenhouse gas emissions.

PTPN IV PalmCo is committed to being a leader in sustainability within the plantation sector. Jatmiko expressed hope that the actions taken will have a positive impact on the environment, communities, and the economy of Indonesia.

To support national decarbonization efforts, Jatmiko mentioned that PTPN IV PalmCo has developed various initiatives to minimize negative environmental impacts. This includes strategic steps in managing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane.

Methane is a gas produced during the disposal of organic waste, including palm oil wastewater. Jatmiko stated, "At PTPN IV PalmCo, we view waste management not just as a responsibility but as a significant opportunity for innovation and climate change mitigation."

Currently, the Pagar Merbau Biogas Power Plant is one of PTPN IV PalmCo's key projects supporting decarbonization. This facility uses biogas from palm oil mill effluent (POME) to generate renewable electricity.

With this facility, the company can reduce methane emissions released into the atmosphere while also producing energy that benefits the local community.

Using methane capture technology, the Pagar Merbau plant successfully captures and processes methane gas from palm oil wastewater that would otherwise be released into the air. The collected methane is then converted into electricity, which is fed into the power grid. "We are grateful to have turned an environmental threat into a source of clean and eco-friendly energy," he said.

In addition to the Pagar Merbau plant, PTPN IV PalmCo operates 12 other methane capture facilities, including Kwala Sawit, Pasir Mandoge, Hapesong, Sei Mangkei, Terantam, Tandun, SAF Factory, CBG Tinjowan, and Biogas Cofiring Sei Rokan.

Tag: BPLH Decarbonization Hanif Faisol Nurofiq