First IPP of Biogas Power Plant in Riau Officially Operate

ENERGY - JAKARTA. PT Pasadena Biofuels Mandiri officially reach the commercial operation date (COD) of the 3x1 megawatt (MW) Ujung Batu Biogas Power Plant located in Sukadamai Village, Ujung Batu District, Rokan Hulu Regency, Riau Province, on Wednesday (3/5/2023).

The first Independent Power Producer (IPP) biogas power plant in Riau Province is operating commercially after the signing of the Commercial Operation Date (COD) of Ujung Batu Biogas Power Plant between PT PLN (Persero) Riau & Riau Islands Distribution Main Unit and PT Pasadena Biofuels Mandiri as the IPP.

PT Pasadena Biofuels Mandiri is part of the Biodena Energy Group which is involved and focused on the development of renewable energy and carbon emissions reduction (decarbonization) as well as plays a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

President Director of PT Pasadena Biofuels Mandiri, Edmond Widjaja, said that Biodena Energy Group is committed to continuing to support PT PLN (Persero) efforts to increase the green energy mix in the country.

"We are proud to be able to carry out the COD of the Ujung Batu Biogas Plant. We would like to thank all those who have supported the construction of this green power plant, especially to PLN. We hope that this Biogas Power Plant can increase the clean energy mix in the country so that it contributes to realizing the government's target to achieve net zero emission," he said during the COD inauguration.

Ujung Batu Biogas Power Plant utilizes palm oil mill effluent (POME) or liquid waste from the palm oil mill owned by PT Rohul Sawit Industri. By using anaerobic processing technology, the palm oil liquid waste is processed so that it is able to convert into biogas energy.

So Ujung Batu Biogas Power Plant apart from producing clean energy, also applies appropriate technology for the management of palm oil waste that is environmentally friendly and contributes to reducing carbon emissions by 100,000 tons of CO2 or the equivalent of 10,000 car emissions per year.

On the same occasion, Agung Murdifi, General Manager of PLN Riau and Riau Islands Distribution Main Unit, explained that as a State-Owned Enterprise, PLN has the responsibility to improve the energy mix and carry out the energy transition to support Indonesia in realizing the Net Zero Emission target in 2060. However, he said, PLN cannot work alone in realizing this energy transition program.

The contribution of the private sector such as Biodena Energy Group to support PLN's efforts in increasing the clean energy mix is considered important to help the Indonesian Government realize the zero carbon emission.

"Currently, the renewable energy mix in Riau has reached 9.62 percent. With the operation of the Ujung Batu Biogas Power Plant, it can increase the reliability of electricity supply, especially in Rokan Hulu Regency and its surroundings. In addition, the presence of this Biogas Power Plant is also able to contribute to the efficiency of PLN's Cost of Production in Riau by Rp 11.9 billion per year," Agung added.