Clean Energy Powers Student Learning at Riau Junior High School
Teaching and learning activities at SMPN 2 Mandau in Bengkalis Regency, Riau, are now supported by solar energy. Through the Sekolah Energi Berdikari (SEB) programme, Pertamina New & Renewable Energy (Pertamina NRE) has provided a 2.2 kWp Solar Power Plant (PLTS) with a 5 kWh battery to help support school activities, including learning in the science laboratory.
Pertamina NRE’s Manager of Corporate Communication & Stakeholder Management, Susanto August Satria, stated that this Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) programme is part of the company’s effort to deliver the benefits of renewable energy directly to the community, including within the education sector.
“Through Sekolah Energi Berdikari, we aim to present the utilisation of renewable energy that provides tangible benefits to the community. In the school environment, the presence of the PLTS is expected to help support teaching and learning activities while introducing the use of clean energy to the younger generation through experiences close to their daily lives,” said Susanto, quoted from a press release received on Thursday (30/7).
The 2.2 kWp PLTS with a 5 kWh battery provides access to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy source for the school environment. Besides supporting school activities, this facility can also be used as a learning tool for students to get to know the application of renewable energy technology directly. The SEB programme at SMPN 2 Mandau benefits 768 students and 5 teachers.
Through the SEB programme, Pertamina NRE continues to promote the use of renewable energy in various community settings, especially the education sector. The presence of the PLTS at SMPN 2 Mandau is an example of solar energy application that not only supports daily activities but also opens up space for the younger generation to get to know clean energy technology and understand the importance of the energy transition.
“We hope this programme can provide sustainable benefits for SMPN 2 Mandau and the entire school community. More than just providing a PLTS, we want to encourage the growth of understanding that renewable energy can be part of everyday life. From schools, we hope more young people will get to know, understand, and eventually take part in the journey towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future,” Susanto added.
Willyan Iswandi, Headmaster of SMPN 2 Mandau, expressed that the presence of the PLTS benefits the continuity of school activities and the learning process. “We greatly appreciate the Sekolah Energi Berdikari programme at SMPN 2 Mandau. This PLTS helps support activities in the school environment, especially learning activities in the science laboratory. On the other hand, students can also see firsthand how solar energy is converted into electrical energy. We hope this facility can continue to provide benefits for the school while broadening students’ insights into renewable energy,” he said.
In addition to supporting school activities, the use of the PLTS also contributes to emission reduction and energy efficiency efforts. The installed system is projected to reduce carbon emissions by 2.25 tonnes of CO2 per year and provide electricity cost savings of approximately Rp295,728 per year. These benefits complement the educational value presented through the use of solar energy in the school environment.