Pasuruan (Greeners) – Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources installed communal biogas in Al Yasini Islamic Boarding School of Wonorejo, Pasuruan, East Java on early April benefiting its thousands of students.

“I would like to thank the government, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, for the communal biogas installation in our school. It is benefiting for our students,” said Headmaster of Al Yasini, Mujib Imron on Thursday (26/4).

READ ALSO: KLHK: Law Stipulates Waste-To-Energy Installation

Communal biogas installation was inaugurated by Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources on April 17, 2018 which included 50 units of water closet, one unit waste water installation, one biogas digester, two biogas lamps, and four biogas stoves for 3,000 students in the boarding school.

“The grant can save operational costs of the school and keep the environment clean. Waste from the students can be reused as energy and with more water closets, they will not have to wait in line to use the toilet which makes them late for class. That’s the added value of this biogas installation,” Imron said.

Furthermore, he said that the ministry also promised to built large well of 3,000 people capacity and solar panel installation. Minister Ignatius Jonan stated that the boarding school can become the pioneer of renewable energy.

“During the inauguration, Minister Jonan was willing to built well and solar panel, we were asked to provide for the lands. He was very happy if Islamic boarding school can be the pioneer of renewable energy,” he said.

READ ALSO: ESDM: New and Renewable Energy No Longer An Option

Pasuruan district government appreciated the ministry for choosing the school to implement government’s program to add more renewable energy installation.

“The grant given to Islamic boarding schools is appropriate because the district has 365 boarding schools, more numbers compare to the total of 341 villages. Hence, the grant from the ministry will bring benefit to the school,” he said adding that it was cleaner after they installed the biogas communal. In addition, the students can also cook using the stoves to save gas and wood.

Reports by MA/G12

Jakarta (Greeners) – Indonesia officially released categories of vehicles required to apply Euro 4 in accordance to newly issued Ministerial Regulation of Environment and Forestry.

Director General of Damage and Environmental Pollution Control, Ministry of Environment and Forestry, Karliansyah said the types of vehicles to apply new regulation were M for public.

Furthermore, he said the ministry had already cooperated with other ministries and other agencies to apply Euro 4, such as Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources which cooperated with Pertamina to establish Euro 4 standards.

“Meanwhile, Ministry of Transportation with Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology to prepare facilities for vehicles to be able to apply Euro 4,” he said in Jakarta, on Tuesday (4/4).

READ ALSO: Indonesia’s Automotive Industry Officially Uses Euro 4

In addition, Indonesia must prepare the infrastructure and technology to adopt the standards of Euro 4. The regulation, he added, would needed preparation especially from automotive industry.

The new regulation will be applied for new cars with gasoline starting 18 months after being signed, or March 10 which means the regulation will be active on September. Meanwhile, cars with diesel will be applied four months after the ministerial regulation was issued.

“So, based on our assessment, the change from Euro 2 to Euro 4 has become the right choice to reduce emission. In addition, to develop our mass transportation,” he said.

READ ALSO: Indonesia to Set Up Green Vehicles Roadmap

Under the 2017 Ministerial Regulation on Euro 4 Standards Implementation, automotive industry and fuel supply need to upgrade the standard to Euro 4 from Euro 2.

Reports by Danny Kosasih

Jakarta (Greeners) – Ministry of Environment and Forestry finally stipulates motor vehicles and fuel stations to upgrade to Euro 4 standards, said a senior official in Jakarta, on Friday (31/3).

MR Karliansyah, Director General of Pollution and Environmental Damage Control at the ministry, said that Euro 4 will be implemented within one and a half year after the ministerial regulation was signed, particularly for cars in production.

“Meanwhile, for those to be produced, it will take at least two years for gasoline and four years for diesel,” said Karliansyah.

READ ALSO: Indonesia to Set Up Green Vehicles Roadmap

Due to no regulations and infrastructure, he said, automotive industries produced Euro 2 standards instead of Euro 4.

“Fossil fuels consumption is still using Euro 2 technology, which contains 300 parts per million of sulfur. Meanwhile, Euro 4 uses Research Octane Number (RON) technology with 92 and 50 ppm of sulfur as minimum,” he said. “If the sulfur is 50 ppm then the quality of city air will be improved.”

Furthermore, he said the regulation went through several discussions with coordinating ministry for economic affairs and will be followed up with send out letters to Ministry of State Owned Enterprise for the supply could be supported by Pertamina.

It would take four years for Pertamina, he said, to produce Euro 4 standards.

“To renovate Pertamina well, it will take at least four years. But, they could import fuels with good quality. To expect domestic production, it would take four more years. So, we need to import.”

READ ALSO: Switzerland Shows Interest to Invest Renewable Energy in Indonesia

In addition, the plan had also been supported by Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, PT Pertamina, Agency for The Assessment and Application of Technology, Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Commerce.

Director of Air Pollution Control, Dasrul Chaniago, said that transportation and the agency for the assessment and application of technology have approved Euro. Both agencies also own emission monitoring technology. Automotive industry, he added, had requested for the regulation to be issued immediately.

“Because, they have produced Euro 2 and 4. Indonesia is still using Euro 2 meanwhile, other countries already use Euro 4,” said Chaniago.

Reports by Danny Kosasih

Jakarta (Greeners) – Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Archandra Tahar, said new and renewable energy development was no longer an option but necessity following Indonesia’s commitment to achieve 23 percent on its national energy mix, on Friday (17/02/2017).

“We have developed the plan to achieve [the target],” said Tahar as quoted from his press release, in Jakarta.

READ ALSO: Lawmakers Recommends To Establish State Owned Company for Geothermal

One way to achieve the target, said Tahar, was collaborating with users of new and renewable energy, such as Sweden which had already developed nuclear, water and wind powers.

Furthermore, he said that the government has been reviewing ways to reduce fossil fuels and replace it with more environmentally friendly energies.

The collaboration, he added, was in line with Indonesia’s energy paradigm shift which would require foreign investment.

READ ALSO: Government to Issue New Map on New and Renewable Energy of Indonesia

“There are three important points from the Indonesian-Swedish cooperation, including provide solution for archipelago nation on energy sector, energy transformation through technology development followed with commitment for creativity,” he said. “In addition, the collaboration could lead to a better world in the future.”

Both nations have established Indonesian-Swedish Initiatives for Sustainable Energy Solutions (INSIST), a platform to increase cooperation on technology and innovation for renewable energy not limited to central government, regional government, universities, and research institutions.

Reports by Danny Kosasih

Jakarta (Greeners) – To tap into Indonesia’s renewable energy potential, government is mapping out the resources and plan to finalized within a year, said William Sabandar, head of New and Renewable Energy Development Acceleration Team, in Jakarta on Friday (26/8).

“Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources will be leading sector integrated with other agencies, such as Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT),” said Sabandar.

READ ALSO: Renewable Energy Development is Lacking in Indonesia

With rising investment in new and renewable energy in the world followed by cheap batteries and pressures to leave fossil fuels, mapping locations potential for the resources is crucial.

Furthermore, he said that new and renewable energy price in China, especially solar and wind, can reach 5-7 cents per kWh meanwhile coal price in Indonesia can reach 8-9 cents per kWh.

Tulus Abadi, head of Indonesian Consumers Foundation, said that current consumption pattern should have changed into sustainability as it is related Indonesia’s future energy resources.

“We support new and renewable energy in Indonesia which is why we ask for government to subsidize the sector,” he said.

READ ALSO: Switzerland Shows Interest to Invest Renewable Energy in Indonesia

Provinces with coastal areas have enormous potential in wind, ocean current, microhydro, and solar powers as new and renewable energy. Unfortunately, there is lack of interest to develop the sector as it requires major capital.

Abadi said that new and renewable energy potentials can be tapped according to each island’s characteristics. For instance, geothermal power plant in Ulumbu, Manggarai district and Mataloko, Ngada district.

Penulis: Danny Kosasih

Jakarta (Greeners) – Kota DKI Jakarta dianggap masih belum siap menerapkan Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) atau transportasi ramah lingkungan dan berkelanjutan. Belum siapnya Jakarta menerapkan EST ini, dikatakan oleh Ketua Komite Penghapusan Bensin Bertimbal (KPBB), Ahmad Syafrudin, bisa dilihat dari beberapa indikator.

Pertama, katanya, jalan raya sebagai prasarana kendaraan berbasis jalan raya masih tidak memadai. Kualitas buruk dan masih banyak jalan yang berlubang serta banyaknya penyempitan jalan menyebabkan pola “bottle neck” di jalan raya yang mengakibatkan kemacetan dan kendaraan tidak bergerak.

“Posisi kendaraan yang tidak bergerak dan mesin yang tetap hidup ini membakar Bahan Bakar Minyak (BBM) tanpa menghasilkan pergerakan dan semakin meningkatkan emisi (baik emisi pencemaran udara maupun emisi rumah kaca),” katanya kepada Greeners, Jakarta, Jumat (29/04).

Selain itu, jalur rel kereta api sebagai prasarana kendaraan berbasis rel (kereta) juga masih belum berkembang secara massif dan holistik yang memfasiitasi seluruh wilayah kota Jakarta dan sekitarnya. Padahal, kereta adalah pilihan transportasi massal yang sangat efisien baik dalam hal energi, pemakaian ruang maupun rendahnya emisi per kapita dibandingkan moda transportasi yang lain.

Infrastruktur penunjang kendaraan berbasis rel yaitu pintu portal rel kereta api dan persinyalan yang tidak diperbaharui dengan teknologi yang lebih modern juga menjadi faktor penghambat pergerakan kereta.

“Buruknya pengelolaan armada transportasi massal seperti Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Trans Jakarta yang tidak dikelola secara profesional dan efisien juga membuat penumpang enggan memanfaatkannya karena waktu tunggu, jadwal dan kenyamanan yang kurang terjamin,” tambah pria yang akrab disapa Puput ini.

Fasilitas NMT (non motorized transport) sebagai penunjang transportasi ramah lingkungan dan berkelanjutan seperti pejalan kaki, becak dan sepeda juga hanya dibuat ala kadarnya dan tidak dirancang dengan sungguh-sungguh sehingga dan mudah untuk diakses.

Hanya enam persen jalan raya di DKI Jakarta yang dilengkapi trotoar (atau hanya sekitar 400 KM dari total sekitar 7000 KM ruas jalan di DKI Jakarta). Dari 400 KM ruas jalan raya ini, tutur Ahmad, 80 persen atau sekitar 320 KM diokupasi untuk peruntukan lain seperti pedagang kaki lima, lahan parkir, Pos Polisi. Lebih dari itu, ruas jalan juga banyak diserobot oleh pengguna sepeda motor, pot bunga, etalase toko, tambal ban, tiang listrik dan lainnya.

“Jalur khusus sepeda pun masih sebatas hiasan. Bisa dilihat di Jalan Diponegoro dan Taman Ayodya di Jalan Melawai. Parahnya, tidak ada penegakkan hukum atas penyerobotan oleh kendaraan bermotor itu,” tegasnya lagi.

TOD atau Transit Oriented Development yang seharusnya bisa membantu para pengguna jalan raya dan transportasi umum masih bleum dikembangkan dengan baik. Padahal, dengan mengitegrasikan inter-moda KRL, BRT, bus kota dan lainnya memungkinkan pergerakan orang semakin cepat karena bisa berganti-ganti moda transportasi dengan transit di tempat tertentu untuk selanjutnya menggunakan moda transportasi lain sesuai arah tujuan akhir perjalanan.

“Terakhir, infrastruktur clean energy yang dalam hal ini clean fuel (Bahan Bakar Bersih) baik itu BBM dengan kualitas tinggi, biofuel maupun BBG (CNG dan LGV) bisa kita lihat masih belum memadai dengan total populasi kendaraan bermotor,” ujarnya.

Pengamat perkotaan dari Universitas Trisaksi Nirwono Joga menambahkan, jika memang Pemerintah Provinsi DKI Jakarta serius membangun konsep transportasi ramah lingkungan dan berkelanjutan, maka Pemerintah Provinsi seharusnya sudah mulai membangun infrastruktur Stasiun Pengisian Bahan Bakar Gas (SPBG) yang lebih strategis dan mewajibkan seluruh angkutan umum menggunakan bahan bakar gas.

Nantinya, jika transportasi umum sudah mulai beralih ke bahan bakar gas, maka penerapan aturan dan sosialisasi untuk kendaraan pribadi pun akan lebih mudah untuk dilakukan.

“Selain jenis transportasinya, pengembangan trotoar yang lebih ramah pada pejalan kaki dan infrastruktur jalur sepeda ke semua penjuru kota juga harus ditingkatkan karena infrastruktur EST adalah syarat bagi smart transportation sebuah kota,” tutupnya.

Penulis: Danny Kosasih

Jakarta (Greeners) – State Minister of National Development Planning or Bappenas, Sofyan Djalil conducted a series of bilateral meeting on energy renewable, environment and transportation with Vice President of Switzerland, Doris Leuthard.

Sofyan said that Leuthard, who was also Environment, Transportation and Energy Minister, had interests in participating as investor and technology provider in Indonesia.

“They posses technology and the companies are keen on investing, provide technology among others. I told [them] that there are plenty of opportunities to invest in Indonesia and we are hoping that they can participate,” he said to Greeners in Jakarta, on Wednesday (30/3).

However, Sofyan added that he uncertain on the amount of the investment but promised that Indonesia opened its door for investments in urban transportation, clean water access, and other infrastructure issues of which the country has sufficient technologies to tackle them.

Furthermore, Sofyan said there was a bit of glitch concerning regulation for renewable energy development. Though, he added quickly that the obstacle would be handled immediately as the country’s target for 23 percent of renewable energy by 2025 as stipulated by the law.

“We understand that it’s the law. By 2025, renewable energy mix must be 23 percent. There are shortcomings but Pak Sudirman [Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources] is working hard to solve it. Let’s just hope that it will be achieved,” he said adding that Leuthard’s visit was a step forward to discuss European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Indonesia-EFTA negotiation has been stalled for three years and Indonesia has been committed to continue on.

“I think renewable energy is no longer an option. We must focus on transportation in this country. The same with energy sector. Indonesia has potentials waiting to be tapped as replacement for fossil fuels,” said Leuthard.

Indonesia’s energy mix comprise of 37 percent oil, 22 percent gas, 29 percent coal, and 12 percent renewable energy. In addition, Indonesia has been encouraging renewable energy for electricity supply.

Power plants fueled by renewable energy is predicted to increase 33 percent and 38 percent by 2025 and 2050, respectively. It will increase electricity supply from 45 Gigawatt to 169 Gigawatt.

Reports by Danny Kosasih

Jakarta (Greeners) – The twenty first session of Conference of Parties (COP 21) of UNFCCC has officially closed with countries agreed to adopt Paris Agreement.

International NGO, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), stated that Paris Agreement would be the foundation for long term effort in tackling climate change.

Furthermore, WWF said that the agreement reflected countries’ attitude in setting aside their own personal interests. The strong message of Paris Agreement is the awareness and new act to cooperate in dealing with impacts of climate change, to ac progressively, and to reach the common goal of protecting vulnerable groups around the world.

Nevertheless, WWF said that Paris Agreement still need to be strengthened and supports from each country to reach the target of reducing emissions and keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius or even 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Currently, all INDCs were only covering half of required emission reduction with remaining 12 – 16 Giga tonnes.

Dr. Efransjah, CEO of WWF Indonesia. said that WWF welcomed Paris Agreement for including crucial elements in saving the world from worst impacts of climate change. The agreement also described attentions on proteting vulnerable groups and Indonesia’s interests.

“Paris Agreement has included global goals in climate change adaptation followed by mentioning lost and damages over climate change impacts,” he said in a press release to Greeners, in Jakarta, on Sunday (13/12).

In addition, Paris Agreement also explained that all countries must act to reduce deforestation rate, land degradation, and sustainable land management. The agreement had also included baseline to measure carbon emissions in Indonesia, which was already launched its Indonesia National Carbon Accounting System (INCAS) during COP 21.

Besides reducing deforestation and land degradation, Efransjah said that other effort need to be taken was global transition on clean and renewable energy.

“It is also important that how countries, including Indonesia. to implement commitment in their INDCs systematically and responsibly. The involvement of civil societies in the delegation under Minister of Environment and Forests is step moving forward to achieve better forest management,” he said.

Director of Communication and Advocacy, WWF Indonesia, Nyoman Iswarayoga, added that low carbon development should be implemented through cooperation between non government agencies and business people, city administrations and wider public. The result in Paris is a good example. The process is creating public awareness on the importance of global scale collaboration to deal with climate change issues.

“Paris Agreement target all countries to report their achievements on agreed outcomes of COP21 by 2018 comprise of reducing emissions, adaptation and funding,” said Nyoman.

Reports by Danny Kosasih

Jakarta (Greeners) – Perkembangan bioenergi sudah seharusnya menjadi fokus penting yang dibahas oleh pemerintah Republik Indonesia. Hal ini dikarenakan banyaknya penggunaan energi fosil yang semakin tidak terkendali dan menyebabkan banyaknya kerusakan lingkungan.

Dr. Mahfud dari Kelompok Kerja (Pokja) Perubahan Iklim Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan menjelaskan bahwa bioenergi sendiri merupakan energi alternatif yang bersumber dari bahan-bahan nabati seperti tanaman, alga, maupun limbah yang dewasa ini mulai dilirik di Indonesia .

Implementasi bioenergi juga, kata Mahfud, sebetulnya sudah memasuki generasi keempat di mana pemanfaatan dan pengembangan bioenergi tengah dikembangkan sebagai bahan bakar pesawat. Meskipun yang dikembangkan itu masih sebatas digunakan untuk pesawat-pesawat kecil.

“Tahap pertama itu saat kita memanfaatkan minyak sawit atau jelantah menjadi bahan bakar. Generasi kedua adalah memanfaatkan limbah atau tanaman yang memang sengaja diperuntukkan untuk energi. Lalu, yang ketiga yaitu penggunaan alga yang hidup di perairan yang dipakai sebagai sumber energi. Dan keempat sekarang ini pengembangan bioenergi,” jelasnya saat menjadi pembicara di acara Indo Green Forestry Expo 2015 di Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Jakarta, Kamis (16/04).

Irham Rofii, produsen “Wood Pellet” di Madura yang mengelola pesantren hijau dan mengembangkan berbagai kegiatan kehutanan termasuk dengan mengembangkan bioenergi, bercerita bahwa pemanfaat tanaman kaliandra sebagai wood pellet atau pakan ikan dengan kalori yang tinggi mampu membuat daerahnya bangga.

“Bahkan kompor wood pellet yang kami hasilkan itu satu kilo saja bisa mengeluarkan bara api selama satu jam setengah,” tuturnya bersemangat.

Pemanfaatan bioenergi ini juga, tambahnya mampu merangkul banyak tenaga kerja yang saat ini sangat minim bagi pemuda-pemudi di daerah. Selain itu, penggunaan wood pellet yang dihasilkan mampu memenuhi kebutuhan bagi industri hingga rumah tangga.

Dosen dari Universitas Mulawarman, Rudianto Amirta, mengatakan, apabila energi terbarukan seperti ini digunakan dengan baik, maka banyaknya pengusaha makanan seharusnya bisa membantu industri rumahan tersebut untuk berhemat.

“Bioenergi ini sudah seharusnya menjadi fokus dan bukan lagi sebagai energi alternatif. Masyarakat juga sudah harus mulai mengetahui segala manfaat dari bioenergi ini,” tukasnya.

Penulis: Danny Kosasih

Melihat tagihan listrik rumah, seringkali kita merasa biayanya terlampau mahal. Hal ini memunculkan pertanyaan, dapatkah kita menghasilkan listrik secara mandiri? Tenaga angin dan tenaga air dapat membangkitkan listrik, namun diperlukan ruang yang cukup besar untuk menyimpan tenaga tersebut berikut dengan peralatannya.

Chief Executive Tesla, Elon Musk mengumumkan mereka tengah mengembangkan baterai rumah untuk menghasilkan listrik secara mandiri. Kelebihan listrik yang dihasilkan malahan dapat dijual ke perusahaan listik.

Elon Musk mengumumkan kepada para calon investor bahwa desain untuk baterai rumah tersebut sudah siap dan dapat dilihat oleh umum dalam satu atau dua bulan mendatang, dan akan diproduksi setidaknya enam bulan ke depan.

Baterai stasioner buatan Tesla ini bisa jadi merupakan penghubung energi terbarukan ke konsumen dengan cara yang mudah. Saat ini, tantangan untuk menyimpan energi “bersih” (clean energy) dari matahari atau angin menjadi salah satu alasan konsumen tetap menggunakan jaringan listrik konvensional.

Meskipun Elon Musk belum berkomentar tentang harga produk baru mereka ini, namun besar kemungkinan produk ini akan menghasilkan penghematan besar dibanding jaringan listrik konvensional.

Inovasi dalam bidang energi seperti ini tidak hanya diperuntukkan bagi pemilik rumah ramah lingkungan. Baterai ini juga dapat memberikan keuntungan untuk mereka yang bermukim di luar jangkauan listrik konvensional, seperti desa-desa terpencil yang biasanya menggantungkan kebutuhannya pada generator listrik. Beberapa orang mengatasi masalah ini dengan menyiapkan generator propana atau bensin, yang mana cara ini tidak selalu praktis dan murah.

Elon Musk menjanjikan baterai buatan Tesla tersebut akan dibuat dengan desain yang menarik sehingga bisa menjadi bagian dari dekorasi rumah, bahkan bisa juga dimanfaatkan untuk properti komersial, seperti kantor atau pertokoan.

(G15)

Jakarta (Greeners) – Kementerian Pekerjaan Umum dan Perumahan Rakyat (PUPR) melalui Direktorat Pengembangan Air Minum-Direktorat Jendral Cipta Karya menyatakan bahwa permasalahan yang dihadapi dalam penyediaan air minum dan air bersih saat ini dikarenakan masih rendahnya cakupan pelayanan air minum tersebut kepada masyarakat.

Direktur Pengembangan Air Minum, Ditjen Cipta Karya PUPR, Mochammad Natsir menjelaskan kalau cakupan pelayanan air minum yang aman secara nasional pada tahun 2014 baru mencapai 70,05 persen. Sehingga, menurutnya, masih terdapat jarak yang cukup besar yaitu 29,95 persen yang harus dipenuhi untuk memenuhi target 100 persen akses aman air minum untuk seluruh penduduk Indonesia hingga akhir tahun 2019 mendatang.

“Berdasarkan hasil analisa penilaian kinerja Perusahaan Daerah Air Minum (PDAM), yang dilakukan oleh Badan Pendukung Pengembangan (BPP) Sistem Penyediaan Air Minum (SPAM) tahun 2014. Ternyata dari 359 PDAM yang ada hanya 182 PDAM yang berstatus ‘sehat’, selebihnya 103 PDAM berstatus ‘kurang sehat’ dan 74 nya ‘sakit’,” terang Natsir pada workshop “Roadmap Efisiensi Energi PDAM” di Kantor Kementerian PUPR, Jakarta, Rabu (11/02).

Natsir menjelaskan, penyebab utama belum optimalnya kinerja PDAM adalah karena tidak efisiennya kinerja pengelolaan SPAM yang melakukan pengeluaran dengan biaya yang tinggi. Padahal, lanjutnya, pemanfaat energi yang efisien menjadi isu penting.

Untuk itu, terangnya, salah satu upaya yang dilakukan PDAM adalah dengan melakukan efisiensi biaya listrik karena biaya energi yang digunakan umumnya mencapai 20 hingga 30 persen dari total biaya operasional PDAM.

“Tingginya biaya energi ini berdampak pada peningkatan biaya produksi dan biaya distribusi pelayanan air minum serta tingginya tarif air minum,” jelasnya.

Direktur Pengembangan Air Minum, Ditjen Cipta Karya PUPR, Mochammad Natsir (tengah) menyatakan dari 359 PDAM yang ada, hanya 182 PDAM yang berstatus ‘sehat’, selebihnya 103 PDAM berstatus ‘kurang sehat’ dan 74 nya ‘sakit’. Foto: greeners.co/Danny Kosasih

Lebih lanjut, Natsir mengutarakan, dalam rangka kelanjutan upaya efisiensi energi bagi PDAM ini, maka pada tahun 2015, Ditjen Cipta Karya melalui Direktorat Pengembangan Air Minum kembali melakukan kerjasama dengan United State Agency for International Development (USAID) melalui proyek Indonesia Urban Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (IUWASH) dan proyek Indonesia Clean Energy Development (ICED) untuk mendukung peningkatan kinerja operasional PDAM melalui audit efisiensi energi untuk PDAM di wilayah pendampingannya.

Wilayah pendampingan adalah Kabupaten Bekasi, Kabupaten Karawang, Kota Semarang, Kota Surakarta, Kabupaten Gresik, Kota Salatiga dan Kota Parepare.

Wakil Direktur USAID Indonesia, Derrick Brown mengungkapkan, jika efisiensi energi tersebut dapat diterapkan, maka kesempatan bagi masyarakat berpenghasilan rendah untuk mendapatkan manfaat air minum yang disediakan oleh PDAM akan meningkat.

“Kalau semua dapat air sehat, jelas masyarakat akan hidup lebih sehat dan mencegah anak-anak dari penyakit seperti diare, khususnya bagi mereka yang berpenghasilan rendah,” tukasnya.

Derrick berharap workshop ini mampu menjaring dukungan dan komitmen dari stakeholder terkait untuk mendorong kegiatan efisiensi energi bagi PDAM, khususnya dalam aspek pendanaan.

Sebagai informasi, sejak tahun 2012 lalu, Ditjen Cipta Karya bersama dengan USAID, ADB, Perpamsi dan Bank Dunia mulai mengembangkan Program Efisiensi Energi yang berdampak langsung terhadap peningkatan pendapatan PDAM.

USAID-IUWASH dan USAID-ICED sendiri merupakan inisiatif di bawah kemitraan komprehensif Amerika Serikat-Indonesia dengan kesepakatan yang dibuat oleh Presiden Obama dan Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Kerjasama ini dibuat untuk mengangkat dan mempererat hubungan antara kedua negara melalui investasi untuk memenuhi kebutuhan yang paling rentan, yaitu perluasan program energi bersih, pendidikan, pelayanan kesehatan, air dan sanitasi.

(G09)