Balikpapan – PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) has successfully pioneered the use of renewable energy sources, specifically methane gas derived from organic waste processing, through its flagship environmental CSR program, the Waste to Energy for Community (Wasteco) Program at the Manggar Landfill in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan. This program is a collaboration between PHM and the Department of Environment (DLH) to support affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy access for the community.

Through this social innovation, the community gains an alternative energy source from waste management that supports daily activities and local businesses. The Wasteco program provides economic benefits to around 1,520 residents and 28 female UMKM in the Manggar Landfill area.

Wasteco is also part of Desa Energi Berdikari (DEB) Pertamina's initiative to ensure sustainable energy access. The program's implementation utilizes six upstream oil and gas technologies for methane gas capture and distribution, including wellheads, gas meters, manifolds, separators, distribution pipes, and flaring.

Dony Indrawan, Manager of Communication Relations & CID at PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI), explained that the Wasteco program is one of the company's flagship environmental CSR initiatives, reflecting its commitment to ecological preservation, conservation, emission reduction, energy efficiency, and waste management. "We plan to integrate our various environmental CSR programs into one initiative called Sustainable Energy for Earth Kalimantan/Energi Lestari Bumi Kalimantan (ELBK) to enhance their impact on the community and the environment for sustainable living," he stated.

As of August 2024, the Wasteco program in Balikpapan has managed waste and utilized methane gas, amounting to 820,800 cubic meters per year. The produced methane gas is supplied to 380 household connections, providing cost savings of up to IDR 456 million annually for households and UMKM by reducing the use of LPG gas.

The Wasteco program received a patent from the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights in June 2023 and has gained various international recognitions and awards, including a Platinum Award at the 15th Annual Global CSR Award & Summit 2023 in the Asia-Pacific region held in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Implementing the Wasteco program is a testament to PHM's contribution to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) aspects, which support achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs). It specifically contributes to SDG 7 on Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 8 on Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 5 on Gender Equality, and SDG 13 on Climate Action. The Wasteco program also helps reduce emissions by 296,356 tons of CO2 equivalent annually.

To promote the sustainability and replication of this program elsewhere, Dony stated that the Wasteco program and Manggar Landfill have been established as educational sites for the successful utilization of renewable energy from methane gas. Visitors from abroad, including representatives from the governments of Japan, Germany, and South Korea, have come to observe the Wasteco program.

"We believe that the success of the company's CSR program is a result of collaboration between the company and all stakeholders, especially the community and the government," said Dony.

The Wasteco program has successfully been replicated in several locations, including Taro Tourism Village in Gianyar, Bali, using the WASTECO method to benefit the Tourism Awareness Group/Kelompok Sadar Wisata (Pokdarwis). PHM General Manager Setyo Sapto Edi revealed that the replication in Taro is a multi-stakeholder collaboration to provide renewable energy solutions through knowledge transfer from PHM to the community. The Pokdarwis in Taro now successfully process methane gas from cow waste into an alternative energy source to support the village's restaurant activities.

PT Pertamina Hulu Mahakam (PHM) is a subsidiary of PT Pertamina Hulu Indonesia (PHI) that manages upstream oil and gas operations and business by Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles in the Mahakam Working Area in East Kalimantan. In cooperation with SKK Migas, PHM, along with its subsidiaries and affiliates, implements innovative social and environmental responsibility programs in the economy, education, health, environment, infrastructure, and disaster response to support sustainable community empowerment and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). PHI is headquartered in Jakarta. For more information about PHI, visit https://phi.pertamina.com.