Metrotvnews.com, Denpasar – As of the end of May 2013, there have been 430 households in Bali using biogas and organic fertilisers produced through procesing of their own cattle manures through Domestic Biogas (BIRU) Programme.

Biogas Provincial Coordinator for Bali, I Gede Suarja, during a meeting in Denpasar, Thursday (7/4), said that such quantity is scattered throughout 39 subdistricts in 9 regencies and municipalities in Bali. “The more households using biogas, the better the situation as the fuel price is steadily increasing today,” he said.

He thinks, Bali is highly potential for biogas development due to the potential of farm animals in Bali which is significantly high. Almost every Balinese family especially those living in the rural areas have at least 3 Balinese cattles. That does not include manure potential of other farming animals such as hogs, goats, and chickens.

Three cattles in each family will be sufficient to operate a biogas reactor which may be used for cooking, lighting, and other purposes. Unfortunately, the utilisation level is not yet optimised. There are plenty of wastes disposed which may lead to environmental pollution.

Whereas the benefits are numerous, readily available ecologically friendly source of energy, high quality organic fertilisers, not to mention the capability to reduce the pollution, creating job opportunities, and other economic benefits.

There are two regencies in Bali with the largest biogas users namely Bangli and Karangasem with 91 and 75 users respectively. The rest are evenly distributed throughout regencies and municipalities in Bali.

Nationally there are no more than 9 thousand units throughout 9 provinces in Indonesia. The unit cost of building a biogas reactor is Rp 7.5 millions. Total subsidy will be Rp 2 millions which will be offered in the form of biogas reactor equipment rather than in monetary form. Thus, the user will only need to pay Rp 5 millions.

His organisation wishes to develop a partnership with an Integrated Farming System (Simantri) in Bali with numerous farm animals ready for the manures to be utilised. Today, Simantri owns no more than 75 biogas reactor units constructed out of fibre cement.

A synergy between Simantri and BIRU Programme will encourage more households in Bali to use biogas for their various energy requirements.

The impacts are, a much greater saving economically, minimising air and environmental pollutions and so forth. (Arnoldus Dhae)

Editor: Edwin Tirani

Source: Metrotvnews.com