Jakarta – PLN Energi Primer Indonesia (EPI) Subholding is developing a green economy by relying on plants as a source of electrical energy through the Desa Berdaya Energi (energy sufficient village) program in Karang Asem and Gombang Villages, Ponjong District, Gunungkidul Regency.
PLN EPI President Director Iwan Agung Firstantara explained that the program not only aims to reduce carbon emissions, but also improve the economy of village communities.
“This program is a form of our support and commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) and sustainable community empowerment,” Iwan said in an official statement, on Thursday, August 1.
The multifunctional tree planting was carried out on 30 hectares of land, including Sultan Ground owned by the Ngayogyakarta Sultanate, Village Treasury Land owned by the Yogyakarta Regional Government, and residents’ yards. These trees are known to have high biomass potential, where every 50 thousand plants can produce 300 tons of biomass. To date, planting in Gombang and Karang Asem has reached 100,000 seedlings.
The types of plants cultivated include gamal trees (Gliricidia sepium), Gmelina, red calliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus), and Indigofera. Indigofera has dual benefits as batik dye and animal feed.
“The leaves of multifunctional plants are used as animal feed, while the stems are collected by village-owned enterprises to be sold to PLN as biomass for cofiring plants, thus creating additional economic value for the community,” Iwan explained.
In addition to planting multifunctional plants, PLN EPI also focuses on empowering MSMEs through training and certification and health programs to reduce stunting rates. Some of the environmental social responsibility (CSR) activities implemented include strengthening village health centres (posyandu) and providing assistance for 21 Peranakan Etawa dairy goats whose milk can meet the nutritional needs of toddlers in Karang Asem and Gombang.
Karang Asem Village Head, Parimin, stated that the collaboration between PLN EPI, the Sultanate of Yogyakarta, and the local village government is expected to contribute significantly to reducing carbon emissions.
“These plants are planted in the yards of residents’ houses, village treasury land, and land belonging to Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X. With the full support of the community and stakeholders, the Desa Berdaya Energi program in Karang Asem and Gombang is expected to become a successful example in efforts to reduce emissions and empower communities,” Parimin explained.
The program confirms PLN EPI’s commitment to supporting a cleaner and more sustainable energy transition and empowering local communities in the biomass supply chain. With these measures, PLN EPI hopes to reduce dependence on fossil energy and encourage using of renewable energy in Indonesia. (Hartatik)
Banner photo: Indigofera alopecuroides var. minor (Nicola van Berkel/wikimedia commons).
