Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk

Amidst the challenges of the need for sustainable energy, PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk (PGE) (IDX: PGEO) continues to strive to balance its business operations with social and environmental commitments. One of its main initiatives is the social forestry program in the Ulubelu Area, Empowering Local Community-Based Environment Stewardship Through Social Forestry (ELOC BESTARI), which has received various prestigious recognitions.

For three consecutive years since 2022, the Ulubelu Area, Tanggamus Regency, Lampung Province, has received the Gold PROPER award. This year, PGE Ulubelu Area is highlighting the ELOC BESTARI social innovation which plays an important role in maintaining the balance between PGE's operational activities and the surrounding environmental ecosystem. This program is designed to support forest conservation while improving the welfare of local communities through various social and economic innovations.

In addition to PROPER, this program has also won other prestigious awards such as the 2024-2025 IGA Awards, 2024 ISRA Award, 2024 BISRA Award, and 2024 Tanggamus Award.

PGE President Director Julfi Hadi explained that PGE uses a green ecosystem approach in the company's social and environmental initiatives, "As a world-class green energy company, PGE uses an integrated green ecosystem approach that connects economic, social, and environmental goals in one sustainable ecosystem. Through the green ecosystem, PGE goes further than just utilizing renewable energy for electricity, but also encourages the socio-economic development of the surrounding community."

The ELOC BESTARI program focuses on diversifying community income to support sustainable forest management by utilizing geothermal energy directly (direct-use geothermal). One of the innovations of this program is Melon Geothermal, a creative idea designed to utilize geothermal potential supported by knowledge transfer according to the company's core competency. This program has benefited 1,362 direct recipients, consisting of 112 forest farm laborers, 787 temporarily unemployed coffee farmers, 81 unemployed youth, 348 elderly people, 23 vulnerable women, and 11 poor families.

General Manager of PGE Area Ulubelu, Hadi Suranto stated that the ELOC BESTARI program not only focuses on environmental aspects, but also creates jobs and improves the standard of living of the surrounding community. "The PGE Area Ulubelu operational area borders directly on the forest and the community, most of whom work as farmers. Through the ELOC BESTARI program, we assist them in sustainable social forestry practices and provide better economic solutions," said Hadi Suranto.

One of the inspiring stories from the program initiated by PGE Area Ulubelu came from Wastoyo, a local resident who was once nicknamed the forest mafia and is now a forest conservationist. Through PGE's assistance since 2023, he has become more massive in preserving the environment and has even succeeded in developing the Margo Rukun Bestari Social Forestry Business Group (KUPS) which has become a learning center for the surrounding community.

"I used to rely on poaching to survive. Slowly I realized that what I was doing had damaged the balance of the environment. After receiving guidance from PGE, I increasingly believe that sustainability is more important than short-term profit. Now, together with KUPS Margo Rukun Bestari, we are building a better economy without destroying nature, with plant nurseries, organic fertilizer production, and honey bee cultivation that are not only economically profitable but also conserve forests," Wastoyo said.

Currently, KUPS Margo Rukun Bestari has a turnover of around IDR 2 billion per year from nurseries, compost fertilizer, and other products such as forest honey, thus having a significant impact on the surrounding community.

PGE continues to be committed to developing similar programs in its various operational areas. The success of this program proves that a collaborative approach between industry and society can create sustainable clean energy solutions while improving the socio-economic welfare of the community, in line with the Asta Cita of the President and Vice President of Indonesia.