Pertamina Gaspol Accelerates Development Of "Desa Energi Berdikari" For Energy Independence

Jakarta - Pertamina Gas Subholding, also known as Pertamina Gaspol, is accelerating the development of the "Desa Energi Berdikari" or Self-Reliant Energy Village program. This strategic initiative aims to empower local communities by leveraging locally available energy resources, thereby reducing dependence on subsidized LPG and strengthening national energy security. The program represents a shift from a centralized energy distribution model to a more decentralized and community-based approach.

The core concept of Desa Energi Berdikari involves identifying and developing the energy potential within a village. This often includes converting livestock waste and agricultural residue into biogas, which can then be used for cooking and even small-scale electricity generation. By providing the necessary technology, training, and initial infrastructure, Pertamina Gaspol enables villages to manage their own energy production cycles.

This initiative is driven by multiple strategic objectives. Primarily, it seeks to reduce the national burden of LPG imports, which cost the state billions of dollars annually. By substituting imported LPG with locally produced biogas, the program contributes directly to easing pressure on the state budget and improving the country's trade balance. Energy self-reliance at the village level is seen as a foundational pillar for national energy resilience.

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Beyond macroeconomic benefits, the program delivers significant socio-economic impacts at the grassroots level. Communities gain access to a cleaner and more affordable energy source. The process of managing biogas digesters creates new local jobs and skills in green technology. Furthermore, the byproduct of biogas production—organic fertilizer—can be used to enhance agricultural productivity, creating a circular economy within the village.

Pertamina Gaspol is implementing this program through collaboration with various stakeholders. Partnerships with local governments, village-owned enterprises (BUMDes), cooperatives, and community groups are crucial for ensuring the project's suitability and sustainability. The subholding acts as a facilitator and enabler rather than just a provider, focusing on building local capacity for long-term operation and maintenance.

The development of Desa Energi Berdikari also aligns with global and national commitments to sustainable development and emission reduction. Utilizing biogas prevents methane—a potent greenhouse gas—from being released into the atmosphere from decomposing waste. Thus, the program contributes to Indonesia's climate goals while providing tangible economic benefits to rural communities.

Several pilot projects have demonstrated promising results. Villages that have adopted the program report substantial savings on household energy expenditure and increased agricultural yields from using the bio-slurry fertilizer. These success stories are being used as models for replication and scaling across other regions with similar potential, particularly in areas with significant livestock farming or agricultural activity.

Looking forward, Pertamina Gaspol plans to expand the reach of the Desa Energi Berdikari program significantly. The ambition is to create a nationwide network of energy-independent villages that not only fulfill their own needs but potentially contribute surplus energy to local grids. This grassroots energy movement is poised to play a critical role in Indonesia's just and inclusive energy transition.

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Biogas Desa Energi Berdikari Energy Self-reliance LPG Substitution Pertamina Gaspol Renewable Energy Indonesia Village Empowerment