The State Electricity Company, PT PLN has initiated the green fishery program for the fishermen of Sauwandarek village, Raja Ampat, West Papua. Through the Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) program, PLN has transformed all fishing and marine economic infrastructure in Raja Ampat, top to bottom in to be electricity-based and from environmentally friendly sources.
The aid provided included three units of electric boat motors, fish finder equipment and cold storage with a 318-liter capacity to make ice cubes and preserve the catches. In addition, a solar power plant with a capacity of 5.4 kWp was also built as an energy source for the equipment provided.
Vecky Saweyai, a fisherman from the village of Sauwandarek, has praised the program, which he says can save costs because he no longer needs to buy fuel for his ship, furthermore, he is no longer worried that his catches will go bad with the cold storage provided.
“Thank you very much for the help supplying the boat motors. Before, we used a 15 hp engine (with fuel) to go to Waisai to buy ice, which could take 20 to 25 litres of fuel for the round trip. But now the electric engines make it easier for us, which is why we as a community are very happy, especially the fishermen,” said Vecky.
For comparison, for 25 liters of BBM with the assumption of the price of Rp 15 thousand per litre, Vecky must spend Rp 375 thousand for each trip, while with an electric boat the same trip only requires 4 kWh of electricity or the equivalent of Rp 5.800.
Deputy Regent of Raja Ampat, Orideko Iriano Burdam conveyed his appreciation for the assistance by PLN for the well-being of the people in the village of Sauwandarek. Access is quite difficult and is only possible by sea in a three-hour trip from Sorong. This however, has not hindered the company in providing electricity services.
“We are very grateful because what we have dreamed of and desired has been realised in the village of Sauwandarek. I hope this assistance can enhance our potential within the village, especially economic,” added Orideko.
PLN Chief Director Darmawan Prasodjo explained that the support of the association to encourage fishermen to improve economically is done through the Marine Electrifying Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) program. The move to boost the fishing economy is also in line with the company’s Creating Shared Value (CSV) principle.
“In running the TJSL program, PLN is not just providing assistance. But rather, through this TJSL program, the beneficiary society will see a boost to its economy so that it can improve its well-being in accordance with the principles of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” said Darmawan.
He continued; this green fishing scheme is to encompass all the fishermen’s infrastructure needs into one that is electricity-based. Not only is it based on electricity, but the electricity also comes from clean energy from potential local resources.
“We operate a new renewable solar power plant (EBT) on Sauwandarek Island to meet the electricity needs of the fishermen. Through these efforts, PLN has been able to improve its energy mix, encourage communities to switch to clean energy and maintain the marine ecosystem with low-emission energy use,” Darmawan said.
Meanwhile, the PLN General Manager of the Papua and West Papua Regional Main Unit (UIW), Budiono added, this green fishery program can bring sustainable benefits and boost the economy of the surrounding communities.
“This green fishing program was provided to make it easier for people to get ice for fishing. Managed by the Village Assembly or the so-called BAMUSKAM, the program has an impact on fuel efficiency. The fishermen no longer need to go far to Waisai, which is up to 40 kilometres away, just to buy ice to preserve the fish,” Budiono said. Green fishery is a collaboration program between Sorong’s Saint Paul Polytechnic students and PLN UIW Papua and West Papua, which won first prize at the Energy Transition Innovation Challenge (ETIC) 2022 championship in Bali. The innovation in the development of electrical technology is, of course, a great help in bringing lighting. The existence of equal distribution and affordable access to electricity shows that electricity can be accessible to all of society.
West Papua Now 