KLH Appreciates Pertamina Geothermal for Promoting Circular Economy
The Kamojang Agri-Aquaculture Energized by Geothermal (Kanyaah) programme has helped PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy Tbk, or PGE Area Kamojang, secure the Company Performance Rating Programme (PROPER) award from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The programme directly utilises unused geothermal steam to drive circular economic activities for the surrounding community.
General Manager of PGE Area Kamojang, I Made Budi Kesuma Adi Putra, stated that the programme builds an interconnected system while improving production cost efficiency. “Kamojang not only serves as a producer of clean energy but also develops as a means of community empowerment based on the utilisation of geothermal energy as a local natural potential,” he said in a written statement on Thursday, 9 April 2026.
The PROPER award achieved by PGE Area Kamojang marks the 15th consecutive year. The award was presented by the Minister of Environment and Forestry on Tuesday, 7 April 2026.
Pertamina is developing Geothermal Fishery through geothermal-based pond heating. This technology can accelerate harvest time by up to 25 per cent and increase fish weight from an average of 200 grams to 330 grams per fish.
In the agricultural sector, there is Geothermal Organic Fertiliser, which has produced 193.8 tonnes of environmentally friendly fertiliser. This fertiliser is used for 12.34 hectares of farmland.
There is also Geothermal Farming to support the seedling and cultivation processes of horticultural crops to make them more efficient and productive. This geothermal utilisation approach improves harvest quality while strengthening local food security.
Then there is Geothermal Food, which encourages post-harvest processing to achieve higher added value. This initiative extends the benefit chain beyond agriculture and opens new business opportunities to sustainably increase community income. “We ensure that green energy management not only supports future energy security but also provides sustainable benefits to the community through strengthening the local economy,” said I Made Budi Kesuma Adi Putra.
The Kanyaah programme has reached 4,397 people with total community income reaching Rp 3.08 billion, and a social return on investment (SROI) value of 5.10 times. Kanyaah is also claimed to contribute to reducing emissions by 146.28 tonnes of carbon equivalent per year, as well as reducing organic waste by 232 tonnes per year.
“We hope that Kamojang can continue to serve as an example of how geothermal management runs in harmony between business growth, environmental preservation, and community empowerment,” said Budi.
In Kamojang, geothermal exploration began in 1926 and was continued by Pertamina in 1974. Commercial operations then began through the Kamojang Geothermal Power Plant in 1983. The management of the Kamojang Geothermal Working Area is under PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy with 5 geothermal power plant units with a capacity of 235 megawatts out of a total installed capacity of 727 megawatts.