Pertamina Brings Solar Power to Traditional Market in Serang
State-owned energy company PT Pertamina has introduced a solar power plant (PLTS) to support trader activities and foster a more comfortable and sustainable environment at Pasar Kepandean in Serang City, Banten. The initiative, named Pasar Energi Berdikari (PEB), is a traditional market empowerment model based on renewable energy that integrates clean energy utilisation with capacity building and economic strengthening for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Agus Mashud S Asngari, President Director of Pertamina Foundation, stated that the programme represents a collaboration between Pertamina, Pertamina Foundation, universities, the Serang City Government, and other partners to deliver the benefits of renewable energy to the community level. He noted that PEB is an innovation that not only provides clean energy installations but also links renewable energy use with community economic empowerment through collaborative efforts.
The installed PLTS has a capacity of 4 kWp, which is expected to provide electricity savings for traders at Pasar Kepandean. Pertamina aims to bring clean energy closer to the public and make it part of daily economic activities. The programme therefore extends beyond the installation of solar panels to include clean energy education and capacity strengthening for traders, ensuring the benefits can be sustained and managed independently over the long term.
In developing PEB at Pasar Kepandean, Pertamina Foundation involved Pertamina University in the solar panel installation process. The programme has three main objectives: clean energy installation, clean energy education, and the use of clean energy to support the market economy. With this approach, the PLTS serves not only as energy infrastructure but also as an educational tool and part of an effort to create more sustainable market economic activities.
Serang Deputy Mayor Nur Agis Aulia welcomed the collaboration between the company, universities, and the city government in delivering benefits to the community. He expressed hope that the solar power system would be used and maintained sustainably to provide long-term benefits and help improve the economy of traders at Pasar Kepandean.
To ensure the PLTS can be optimally utilised in the long term, Pertamina Foundation has also engaged Sobat Bumi (Sobi) Pertamina from Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa University to monitor and evaluate the usage and operation of the solar panels at the market. Haryati, a trader at Pasar Kepandean, said the solar power utilisation has helped reduce electricity costs at her stall and provided her with knowledge on how to use solar energy more effectively.
Agus added that multi-stakeholder collaboration is key to delivering renewable energy that provides tangible benefits to the community. From the solar panel installation and clean energy education to MSME capacity building and ongoing monitoring and evaluation, the entire programme is directed at building a clean energy ecosystem that can operate sustainably. Pasar Kepandean is expected to become an example of how renewable energy can coexist with community economic activities while contributing to the realisation of traditional markets that are more comfortable, efficient, and sustainable.