Indonesian state-owned plantation firm PTPN IV PalmCo and Japan’s Aiken Kakoki are fast-tracking the construction of a biogas power plant that will process palm oil mill effluent (POME) in Riau province.
The project, located at the Sei Garo palm oil mill in Kampar Regency, is expected to enter its commissioning phase by the end of 2025.
“This biogas co-firing plant is a collaboration with Aiken from Japan. It is currently in the environmental permitting and early construction stages,” said Ahmad Gusmar Harahap, Regional Head of PTPN IV Regional III, on Tuesday.
The plant uses Expanded Granular Sludge Bed (EGSB) technology, which is designed to convert liquid palm oil waste into methane gas. Officials say it will be the first industrial-scale application of EGSB technology in the global palm oil sector.
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“This is a major step in renewable energy development, using more efficient and sustainable technology,” Harahap said.
The facility will be capable of processing at least 150 cubic meters of POME per day, with funding support from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
The project began in late 2023 and includes a two-year joint research program between the Indonesian and Japanese partners.
Once permitting is completed, construction, equipment installation, and the introduction of granular sludge for methane production will follow, the company said.
Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of palm oil and is seeking to reduce the environmental impact of its industry while expanding renewable energy capacity.
Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak
