Fajar Sulsel - Deep in the remote area of Tompobulu, Maros Regency, a civilization is thriving. A mid size board reads “You are Entering a Biogas Development Zone Toward an Energy Self-Sustanance Village” standing firmly. This is like a marker that in a Village named Benteng Gajah, there is a very serious effort performed by the community to embody energy self-sustanance as expected by the Government.

Benteng Gajah Village is situated approximately 1 km eastward of Tompobulu Subdistrict, Maros Regency, South Sulawesi. Presently, more than 50 biogas reactors have been built in their village.

Muhammad Ansar (48) built a biogas reactor at his cooperative office of Bulu Saukang Multipurpose Cooperative for a reason. For decades, the people at his village have sustained difficulties. Sourcing LPGs is a daunting task for ordinary housewives. In the meantime, kerosene price is astronomical and the commodity is difficult to find.

The introduction of Domestic Biogas (BIRU) to their village seems like a light at the end of a tunnel. This is the beginning of energy self-sustanance initiated from a remote area.

Muhammad Ansar explained, during the first year of Domestic Biogas socialisation, only 16 households took advantage on this renewable energy. Four years later, in 2016, 50 households at Benteng Gajah Village have been identified as the biogas users. “Praise to the Almighty, our dream to turn our village into an energy self-sustanance village will come into reality in not too distant future. Today there are 54 units at Benteng Gajah Villaage while there are 21 special units at Balocci Viilage. Each unit produces four cubic meter or 36 kg of cow manures on a daily basis,” Ansar said when we met him at his residence in Balocci Village.

In order to generate an energy which is capable to supply an energy between 4-5 hours cooking time, it takes 4 cubic meter or 50 kg of cow manures. In addition to its capability to supply energy for cooking purposes, the village inhabitants may also benefit the energy produced for lighting purposes which may last between 3-4 hours per household. Other benefit also includes the production of 1 liter of liquid fertiliser. The success attained by the people at Benteng Gajah Village resonated to the central government. Ansar admitted that he frequently represented his village to attend events elsewhere outside Sulawesi and even attending events in Java to present biogas utilisation in his village. He has even responded to the invitation sent by the central government and Pertamina.

The community innovation have received supports from the government. The biogas may serve as a fuel in a gaseous form. Converting manures to biogas is ecologically friendly, and will enable the farmers to save their daily expenses. “This is truly an unlimited source of energy, and a biogas reactor is a very simple idea. Just imagine, cow manure may generate alternative energy, and support the housewives for their cooking purposes,” Ansar said.

The use of cattle manure depends on each region. “For example in Toraja, the people there is taught to manage the pig manure and convert it into biogas. Meanwhile, in Jeneponto, the horse manure is turned into biogas. It just so happens that in Maros, cow is the dominant cattle. Therefore, cow manure is further used to convert into biogas,” he explained.

Muhammad Yunus (46) is one of the people who had been convinced to build a biogas reactor in his residence. The Head of Polewali Village has built a 10 m³-capacity biogas reactor next to his house after receiving information from Bulu Saukang Multipurpose Cooperative. Today, his family no longer needs to look for firewood or LPG for cooking purposes.

What is being done by the people of Benteng Gajah together with Bulu Saukang Multipurpose Cooperative ardently is a proof that biogas technology is acceptable by the community provided that they receive comprehensive knowledge on various benefits that they may enjoy through such technology.

Pertamina’s Commitment

Meanwhile, Pertamina’s VP Clean Energy Technology Department, Taufik Afianto, during a discussion in the seminar on the development of New and Renewable Energy reaffirmed Pertamina’s commitment to support the development of renewable energy. During his presentation, Taufik revealed that multiparty collaboration is the key to success in developing New and Renewable Energy business. He explained, in addition to Pertamina, there are other parties which need to continue to collaborate such as the government, research agencies, universities, as well as NGOs.

Taufik explained, in achieving the 35,000 MW national target articulated by the government, Pertamina will participate by engaging in the development of New and Renewable Energy, especially in Bio-Energy sector such as Biomass, Municipal Solid Waste, and Biogas. He said that Pertamina is committed to achieve the 1,000 MW target by 2020 which comprises New and Renewable Energy in the forms of 486 MW of solar power, 248 MW of wind power, 85 MW of hydropower, 72 MW of biogas, 30 MW of biomass, 49 MW of waste to energy, and 30 MW of ocean energy subsequently.

“Pertamina is committed to develop New and Renewable Energy, as portrayed in our coporate vision.” (***)

(Source: http://sulsel.fajar.co.id/2016/10/28/desa-benteng-gajah-maros-olah-limbah-jadi-berkah/)