Solar-Powered Lighting Arrives for Cilamaya Fishermen, Enabling Safer and More Productive Night Fishing

Karawang — The night sky along the Cilamaya coast has not always been kind to small-scale fishermen. In the darkness of the open sea, a shaft of light often makes all the difference — determining whether nets can be cast safely, whether boats can navigate without risk, and whether the catch will be sufficient to bring home to their families. For coastal fishermen, darkness has long been a daily challenge inseparable from their profession.

Now, that story is gradually changing. Through its Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) programme, Pertamina New & Renewable Energy (Pertamina NRE) has introduced solar-powered lighting systems (PLTS) to support night fishing activities.

The assistance comes in the form of portable PLTS lighting kits installed on fishing boats. The system comprises a solar panel mounted on top of the vessel to capture sunlight during the day, an energy storage battery, and lighting that can be used throughout the night.

Energy collected during daylight hours is stored in the battery and then used as a power source for onboard lighting when fishermen head out at night. This straightforward aid has delivered tangible results, from increased productivity to reduced operational costs.

Budiman, a fisherman who has been at sea since 2000 and is known as a Pertamina Local Hero in his village, has experienced the change first-hand. Previously, he relied solely on a headlamp when fishing at night. Besides being tiring, the device frequently malfunctioned when exposed to water.

“Now the lighting is very bright and consistent from night until morning. Before, because of fatigue and worry about the light dying, I could only cast my nets a few times. With the solar system, I can manage five or six times a night. My income has noticeably increased,” he said.

A similar account comes from Kiki Mulyana, a small-scale fisherman who has spent ten years at sea. He said he previously depended on lead-acid batteries that were prone to failing when splashed with water and required costly replacements.

“With solar energy, we save far more money. The lighting covers a wide area, helping us sort fish and also aiding navigation to prevent accidents, especially on narrow river channels. Even on land, the solar lighting can be used for mending nets, given how easy it is to set up and take down. It has been a tremendous help to us economically and in our daily lives,” Kiki explained.