Pertamina Collaborates to Convert Waste into Low-Carbon Hydrogen
PT Pertamina (Persero) is strengthening its commitment to national clean energy development through the signing of a Joint Agreement with the West Java Provincial Government regarding a strategic collaboration to utilise waste for the production of low-carbon hydrogen, biomethane, and biofuel. This partnership represents a significant step towards building an integrated hydrogen ecosystem while simultaneously addressing waste management issues in West Java.
The collaboration covers various strategic areas, including the development of new and renewable energy, environmental management, and community empowerment. Emma Sri Martini, Director of Strategy, Portfolio, and Business Development at PT Pertability (Persero), stated that a primary focus of the cooperation is the plan to utilise methane derived from the Sarimukti landfill in West Bandung Regency. Through this collaboration, biogas from the waste will be purified into biomethane and subsequently processed into hydrogen, as part of a broader waste-to-energy ecosystem development.
According to Ms Martini, the project development represents a synergy within the Pertamina Group to create an integrated clean energy value chain from upstream to downstream. The programme will be executed alongside Pertamina New & Renewable Energy (PNRE) and the Gas Subholding, with each entity managing responsibilities ranging from feedstock provision and processing to infrastructure construction, distribution, and product commercialisation.
The collaboration also involves international partners, including Hyundai from South Korea, as part of the effort to accelerate the development of low-carbon energy technology. Ms Martini expressed hope that this programme would serve as a pilot model for building a hydrogen ecosystem in Indonesia, which could be replicated in other regions if successful.
Concurrently, the West Java Provincial Government also conducted the groundbreaking ceremony for the Waste-to-Electricity (PSEL) Project at the Legok Nangka waste processing area. Once operational, the facility is designed to process approximately 2,000 tonnes of waste per day into electricity with a capacity of around 40 MW, while supporting the development of hydrogen and biomethane. This facility is expected to alleviate the burden on the Sarimukti landfill, which currently serves as the primary waste management site for the Greater Bandung area.
The Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Yuliot Tanjung, noted that the construction of the Legok Nangka PSEL is part of the government’s effort to accelerate clean energy provision and resolve waste issues. The facility is targeted to begin operations in 2029, with an estimated capacity of 40 MW and the potential to employ around 1,500 workers, promoting a circular economy through waste-to-energy conversion.
Furthermore, the Governor of West Java, Dedi Mulyadi, stated that the development of the Legok Nangka PSEL will strengthen West Java’s position as a leading hub for clean energy development in Indonesia, with plans to expand similar facilities to other regions in the province.