By Romel S. Gurky
On August 1, 2025, the Governor of South Papua province, Apolo Safanpo, officially inaugurated the first biogas power plant (PLTBg) in the region, marking a significant step in Papua’s transition to sustainable energy.
The newly inaugurated biogas facility, developed by PT Berkat Cipta Abadi (BCA), a subsidiary of palm oil plantation firm PT Tunas Sawa Erma (TSE) Group, is designed to process 1,000 cubic meters of palm oil mill effluent (POME) daily. This biogas is converted into methane gas, which is primarily used to generate environmentally friendly electricity to power the company’s plant operations and office facilities. The facility currently has a generation capacity of 2 megawatts (MW) and aims to increase capacity to 5 MW in the future, to serve the entire district.
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The biogas plant is a key component of TSE Group’s broader commitment to renewable energy and waste-to-energy solutions. Since beginning operations in May 2025, the plant has already demonstrated its potential by reducing carbon emissions by 15,000 tons, further supporting Indonesia's push toward a low-carbon economy. The plant also produces 5,500 cubic meters of compressed biomethane gas (BioCNG) daily, reducing reliance on fossil fuels by an estimated 4 million liters per year.
Raghunath K, CEO of KIS Group, a partner in the project, highlighted the environmental benefits of the facility. “This facility transforms agricultural waste into clean energy, offering a sustainable solution that not only benefits the environment but also supports the local economy. It’s a proud achievement for both TSE Group and KIS Group in leading the charge toward sustainability,” Raghunath said.
Editing by Alexander Ginting
