In conjunction with the endeavor for energy self-sufficiency in the Province of Bali, the Domestic Biogas (BIRU) Programme together with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) organized a workshop to evaluate the programme implementation at Hotel Inna Sindhu Bali, on Thursday, 28 July 2011.  This workshop was attended by relevant government’s offices at the national level as well as provincial level such as Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, Papua in addition to a number of credit provider institution and private sector.

The Director of Bioenergy of the Directorate General of New, Renewable, and Energy Conservation (DJEBTKE) Maritje Hutapea stated, “Through this workshop, the implementation progress of BIRU Programme will be evaluated especially to identify the extent of the impact of the biogas in fulfilling the public’s energy needs.  Additionally, a number of technological issues will be evaluated whether such technology are appropriate and effective, especially in terms of equipment reliability, ease of operational system and their maintenance.  This workshop has also been used as socialization forum to other local administratives to replicate biogas reactor in their respective territory.”

“The development of sustainable biogas sector in Indonesia requires strong synergism among government agencies in new and renewable energy as well as other parties actively involved in implementing BIRU Programme at each level.  This strong synergism enable BIRU Programme to enhance public awareness with regard to the benefits of high quality biogas reactor,” explained Hivos BIRU Programme Manager, Robert de Groot.

During this workshop, the programme’s latest development will be presented in addition to the challenges encountered during the implementation process.  Input and feedback from relevant multi stakeholders will also be solicited for the programme’s advancement in the future.

BIRU Programme is a collaboration programme between the Government of Indonesia and the Netherland.  Initiated in May 2009, BIRU Programme is implemented by Hivos, a humanitarian institution for development cooperation based in the Netherland in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources of the Republic of Indonesia through the Directorate General of New, Renewable, and Conservation of Energy (DJEBTKE).

De Groot further continued, “the trust and support exhibited by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources toward BIRU Programme have opened up the opportunities in disseminating biogas programmes at the local level.  Acceptance toward BIRU Programme in the regional level has been highly satisfactory up to this time.  BIRU Programme has been greatly supported by the support provided hence enable to drive the interest and biogas construction among the cattle farmers.”

Though BIRU Programme, Hivos has provided a subsidy in the amount of Rp 2 millions for each reactor in the forms of equipment, rather than in cash form.  Hutapea explained, “We greatly welcome the implementation of BIRU Programme and expect that biogas development in Indonesia to be able to implement the mechanism similar to what has been carried out by BIRU Programme, rather than in the form of a grant as it has been demonstrated by State Budget funding throughout this time.  Mechanism applied by BIRU Programme will create a strong sense of ownership by the public.”

In implementing its programme, BIRU establishes cooperation with a number of local organizations such as NGO, cooperative, as well as other private sectors assuming the roles as patners in construction works.  In Bali, this program has embraced five construction partners namely BOA Foundation, Manikaya Kauci Foundation, IDEP Foundation, Sunari Foundation, and CV. Mitra Usaha Mandiri.

BIRU Programme is exploring partnership with microfinance institution to disburse loans with low interest rate for potential BIRU users among the community.

As of June 2011, BIRU Programme has constructed 3,143 units of domestic biogas reactors scattered in seven provinces in Indonesia namely West Java, East Java, Central Java and DI Yogyakarta, West Nusa Tenggara, Bali, South Sulawesi, and Sumba.  In Bali itself, there are 96 units of domestic biogas reactors in seven regencies subsequently Buleleng, Jembrana, Tabanan, Badung, Gianyar, Bangli, and Klungkung.  This program will target the construction of 8,000 units of reactor by the end of 2012.