Jakarta, December 1, 2021 – The University of Indonesia (UI) now has a 234 kWh Waste-to-Energy Power Plant (PLTSa) thanks to the collaboration between the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia (FMIPA) UI and PT Paiton Energy through the Waste to Energy CSR Project.
The waste-to-energy plant (PLTSa) will be used in the Parangtopo laboratory at UI. It also provides a sustainable solution for UI’s waste management.
The inauguration of the Waste-to-Energy Power Plant (PLTSa) took place at the UI Campus Convention Hall in Depok, West Java, on Wednesday (December 1, 2021). The event was attended by UI Rector Prof. Ari Kuncoro and PT Paiton Energy President Director Koichiro Miyazaki.
According to Prof. Ari Kuncoro, UI is committed to fulfilling its role in meeting the indicators of sustainable development goals. As a higher education institution, UI has a vital role in producing knowledge and applied technological innovations that are oriented towards social and ecological balance.
“The collaboration between UI and PT Paiton Energy in developing renewable energy-generating technology through waste recycling is a concrete example of collaboration between the private sector and universities to offer solutions to the environmental crisis,” said Prof. Ari.
As part of the Waste to Energy CSR Project, Paiton Energy donated eight biodigesters, which function as waste-to-energy plants (PLTSa). These machines operate by utilizing a maximum of two tons of organic waste and animal waste per day.
In addition to producing 234 kWh of electricity, the Biodigester machine also produces solid and liquid fertilizer for agriculture that can be utilized by UI’s fostered communities.
Koichiro Miyazaki stated that waste management to preserve the environment is a major challenge globally, including in Indonesia. “One important effort that can be made is to build a waste-to-energy power plant through our CSR program, the Waste to Energy CSR Project,” he said.
According to Miyazaki, the presence of the Waste-to-Energy Plant (PLTSa) at UI offers significant benefits, as it will deepen knowledge in operating waste-to-energy plants and provide opportunities to improve the commercial feasibility of the plants through joint studies. This knowledge and improvement are crucial to supporting government policies to encourage the use of renewable energy.
According to Agung Waluyo, Director of Community Service & Empowerment at the University of Indonesia (UI), the Waste to Energy CSR Project focuses on utilizing organic waste. “We’ll use a biodigester filled with leaves, animal manure, and maggot waste to produce biogas, which we’ll directly use to power a power generator,” Agung said.
Rokhmatuloh, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA) at the University of Indonesia (UI) (2018-2021), stated that UI aims to make the campus green and energy-independent. “This collaboration with Paiton Energy on the Waste to Energy CSR Project can be one of the keys to achieving this goal,” Rokhmatuloh said.
Paiton Energy has implemented an annual CSR program since 2000, designed and monitored by the Community Development Committee. The program is categorized into three focuses: supporting company (power plant) sustainability, socioeconomic sustainability, and energy and environmental sustainability.
