Kompas - Wednesday, 16 May 2012 | 03:09 WIB

SALATIGA, KOMPAS – Farmers united in Serikat Paguyuban Petani Qaryah Thayyibah (SPPQT) keep on developing alternative energy by utilizing biogas using and producing micro-hydroelectric power. Apart from its friendly environment effect, alternative energy development also helps farmers' income increases.

Micro-hydroelectric power (PLTMH) which is located in Kebumen village, Banyubiru district, Semarang Regency, Central Java, is able to produce electricity until 170 kVA. The PLTMH was built by Hivos funding and assistance of Business and Society Institute (Ibeka).

The PLTMH inscription was signed by the Minister of State Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Dahlan Iskan in Salatiga, Tuesday (15/5), along with SPPQT Fourth Congress opening.

Director of Ibeka Tri Mumpuni said that the main idea was to make the village has permanent income. When there is a river flow from higher land to lower location, it would be potential for PLTMH.

PLN then agreed to buy electricity produced by PLTMH Banyubiru worth IDR 656 per kWh. The PLTMH connection has got into PLN connection. In numbers, the outcome from electricity selling costs about IDR 50 million per month. PLTMH was built with IDR 4,8 billion investment by Hivos.

The head of SPPQT, Khadziq Faisol, explained that a quarter from the selling will be used for farmers and society around PLTMH while the rest of it shall be used for SPPQT and PLTMH development in other areas.

The Built Ones
SPPQT also worked on biogas using in household scale. There have been 300 domestic biodigesters built so far; spread over 11 subdistricts in Central Java. SPPQT subsidize its members who are willing to install biodigester for IDR 2 million each.

The Director of CV Qaryah Thayyibah, Turjangun, said that the expenses needed to build a 4 meters cubic installation for two cows costs IDR 5,7 millions; with the subsidy, expenses needed to provide shall only be IDR 3,7 millions left.

"Not every farmer able to provide that much amount. Whereas farmers can own biodigester, there will be no waste anymore. We hope there will be an organization that is willing to fund," said Turjangun.

From Batam, Riau Islands Province, was reported that electricity extinction intensity increases followed by fuel rareness. There has been a suspicion on fuel using was not for generators.

The Head of Batam Department of Industry, Trade and Energy, Ahmad Hijazi, said that electricity extinction happens every day in various areas in Batam within various times.

The 1st Kepri Section Manager of Pertamina Selling, I Ketut Permadi, stated that there has been consumption leap within the last two weeks. Pertamina assures that supply will be just normal. (UTI/RAZ)

Source: www.kompas.com