· News, CSR and the Environment
Bukit Asam’s Solar Irrigation Brings Prosperity to Lampung Tengah Farmers
The solar irrigation for agricultural land in Rejosari Mataram Village, Seputih Mataram District, Lampung Tengah Regency was inaugurated by the Regent of Lampung Tengah Musa Ahmad and VP Sustainability of PT Bukit Asam Tbk (PTBA) Hartono on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.
"We are grateful for PT Bukit Asam Tbk's (PTBA) contribution to sustainable development. The people of Central Lampung will always remember your support. Solar irrigation will increase agricultural productivity, hence improving farmer welfare," said Musa Ahmad.
According to Hartono, the construction of solar irrigation with 52.8 kilowatt peak (kWp) capacity began in October 2022 and completed in February 2023. The solar power plant is a source of energy for irrigation pumps to draw water from the river and distribute it to the rice fields of the locals.
Benefits were felt by 267 farmers who owned 175 hectares (ha) of land in total. Farmers who relied on rain-fed rice fields could only harvest once a year prior to solar irrigation, but they can now harvest two to three times a year.
"The construction of solar irrigation is PTBA's initiative to encourage the use of renewable energy, empower communities, while preserving the environment. Our hope is that this solar power plant can be optimized and will benefit all levels of society," said Hartono.
The solar irrigation program supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) both point 7 (ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy and point 8 (creating decent jobs and encouraging economic growth).
Not only has PTBA built solar irrigation in Rejosari Village, Mataram, but also in five other locations: Talawi Mudik (Sawahlunto, Sumatera Barat), Trimulyo (Pesawaran, Lampung), Tanjung Raja (Muara Enim, Sumatera Selatan), Karang Raja (Muara Enim, Sumatera Selatan), and Nanjungan (Lahat, Sumatera Selatan). The total capacity of these 6 solar irrigation reaches 192 kWp.
"We are grateful for PT Bukit Asam Tbk's (PTBA) contribution to sustainable development. The people of Central Lampung will always remember your support. Solar irrigation will increase agricultural productivity, hence improving farmer welfare," said Musa Ahmad.
According to Hartono, the construction of solar irrigation with 52.8 kilowatt peak (kWp) capacity began in October 2022 and completed in February 2023. The solar power plant is a source of energy for irrigation pumps to draw water from the river and distribute it to the rice fields of the locals.
Benefits were felt by 267 farmers who owned 175 hectares (ha) of land in total. Farmers who relied on rain-fed rice fields could only harvest once a year prior to solar irrigation, but they can now harvest two to three times a year.
"The construction of solar irrigation is PTBA's initiative to encourage the use of renewable energy, empower communities, while preserving the environment. Our hope is that this solar power plant can be optimized and will benefit all levels of society," said Hartono.
The solar irrigation program supports the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) both point 7 (ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy and point 8 (creating decent jobs and encouraging economic growth).
Not only has PTBA built solar irrigation in Rejosari Village, Mataram, but also in five other locations: Talawi Mudik (Sawahlunto, Sumatera Barat), Trimulyo (Pesawaran, Lampung), Tanjung Raja (Muara Enim, Sumatera Selatan), Karang Raja (Muara Enim, Sumatera Selatan), and Nanjungan (Lahat, Sumatera Selatan). The total capacity of these 6 solar irrigation reaches 192 kWp.
