· News, CSR and the Environment
Bukit Asam (PTBA) Inaugurated the Karang Raja Village Solar Irrigation on 78th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia
PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) has completed the construction of a Solar Power Plant for irrigation in Karang Raja Village, Muara Enim, South Sumatra.
Acting Muara Enim Regent Ahmad Usmarwi Kaffah and Director of Human Resources (HR) PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) Suherman inaugurated the solar irrigation on the 78th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia, Thursday, August 17, 2023.
The solar irrigation construction is PTBA's effort to encourage the use of renewable energy, empower the community, while preserving the environment, in line with PTBA's Noble Purpose as a member of the MIND ID Group: “We explore natural resources for civilization, prosperity and a brighter future”.
"Solar irrigation not only provides economic benefits, but also encourages more environmentally friendly agriculture, which reduces carbon emissions. In terms of economic effect, this program has impacted 121 farmers," said Suherman.
Ahmad Usmarwi Kaffah extended his gratitude to PTBA and hoped that PTBA would continue to contribute to sustainable development.
"Today we witness a positive contribution from PTBA. This is a significant contribution since it promotes sustainable development. My full appreciation for PTBA for creating and pioneering this program in Muara Enim Regency. I am very proud and satisfied, hopefully PTBA will continue the program elsewhere. You will have our full support," he said.
He also advised the community to care of and maintain the solar irrigation in order to provide sustainable benefit. "My fellow farmers, I truly understand how difficult it is to only rely on water resources. I really hope that this solar power plant is well maintained, thus we must take care of it to ensure its sustainability," he said.
Solar Irrigation in Karang Raja Village began construction on September 16, 2021 and operating on February 14, 2023. It consists of 76 modules, each having a capacity of 500 Wattpeak (Wp), with total capacity reaching 38 Kilowatt peak (kWp).
The electricity generated by the solar power plant is capable of turning on 2 units of irrigation pumps with a capacity of 20 liters per second with a head of up to 35 meters. The pump sucks river water 1.29 kilometers (km) into the reservoir where it is distributed to local fields.
The solar irrigation system at Karang Raja Village benefits 121 farmers by irrigating approximately 35 hectares of land. With this solar irrigation, farmers in Karang Raja Village can now harvest 2-3 times a year. Farmers formerly relied on rainfed rice fields, which allowed them to harvest just once a year. But now, farming yields might increase by up to 175 tons of dry milled grain (GKG) each year.
The solar irrigation program is run by PTBA to support the achievement of Point 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, as well as SDGs point 8: creating decent jobs and encouraging economic growth.
Aside from Karang Raja Village, PTBA has built solar irrigation in five other locations, including Talawi Mudik (Sawahlunto, West Sumatra), Trimulyo (Pesawaran, Lampung), Tanjung Raja (Muara Enim, South Sumatra), Nanjungan (Lahat, South Sumatra), and Rejosari Mataram (Central Lampung, Lampung). The total installed capacity of the 6 solar irrigation reaches 192 kWp.
Acting Muara Enim Regent Ahmad Usmarwi Kaffah and Director of Human Resources (HR) PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) Suherman inaugurated the solar irrigation on the 78th Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia, Thursday, August 17, 2023.
The solar irrigation construction is PTBA's effort to encourage the use of renewable energy, empower the community, while preserving the environment, in line with PTBA's Noble Purpose as a member of the MIND ID Group: “We explore natural resources for civilization, prosperity and a brighter future”.
"Solar irrigation not only provides economic benefits, but also encourages more environmentally friendly agriculture, which reduces carbon emissions. In terms of economic effect, this program has impacted 121 farmers," said Suherman.
Ahmad Usmarwi Kaffah extended his gratitude to PTBA and hoped that PTBA would continue to contribute to sustainable development.
"Today we witness a positive contribution from PTBA. This is a significant contribution since it promotes sustainable development. My full appreciation for PTBA for creating and pioneering this program in Muara Enim Regency. I am very proud and satisfied, hopefully PTBA will continue the program elsewhere. You will have our full support," he said.
He also advised the community to care of and maintain the solar irrigation in order to provide sustainable benefit. "My fellow farmers, I truly understand how difficult it is to only rely on water resources. I really hope that this solar power plant is well maintained, thus we must take care of it to ensure its sustainability," he said.
Solar Irrigation in Karang Raja Village began construction on September 16, 2021 and operating on February 14, 2023. It consists of 76 modules, each having a capacity of 500 Wattpeak (Wp), with total capacity reaching 38 Kilowatt peak (kWp).
The electricity generated by the solar power plant is capable of turning on 2 units of irrigation pumps with a capacity of 20 liters per second with a head of up to 35 meters. The pump sucks river water 1.29 kilometers (km) into the reservoir where it is distributed to local fields.
The solar irrigation system at Karang Raja Village benefits 121 farmers by irrigating approximately 35 hectares of land. With this solar irrigation, farmers in Karang Raja Village can now harvest 2-3 times a year. Farmers formerly relied on rainfed rice fields, which allowed them to harvest just once a year. But now, farming yields might increase by up to 175 tons of dry milled grain (GKG) each year.
The solar irrigation program is run by PTBA to support the achievement of Point 7 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, as well as SDGs point 8: creating decent jobs and encouraging economic growth.
Aside from Karang Raja Village, PTBA has built solar irrigation in five other locations, including Talawi Mudik (Sawahlunto, West Sumatra), Trimulyo (Pesawaran, Lampung), Tanjung Raja (Muara Enim, South Sumatra), Nanjungan (Lahat, South Sumatra), and Rejosari Mataram (Central Lampung, Lampung). The total installed capacity of the 6 solar irrigation reaches 192 kWp.
