Press Release
No.094/RELEASE/PLNIP/2025
Planting the Energy of the Future: PLN Indonesia Power Brings Sorghum Biomass to Pelabuhan Ratu
Sukabumi, December 1, 2025 – PLN Indonesia Power (PLN IP), through its West Java 2 Pelabuhan Ratu Generation Business Unit (UBP JPR), has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing clean energy transition and empowering communities. This commitment was demonstrated through a sorghum planting initiative themed “Empowering People, Save the Future” in Cipatuguran Village, Pelabuhan Ratu, Sukabumi, involving local residents, regional government, and key stakeholders.
This initiative is more than planting crops—it is a strategic movement that connects green energy, food security, and community-based economy. By utilizing sorghum as a biomass feedstock, PLN IP paves the way for carbon emission reduction through co-firing programs at coal-fired power plants, while simultaneously creating new economic opportunities for local farmers.
Sorghum offers a dual solution to two major challenges: the demand for clean energy and the need for community welfare. With its adaptability to marginal land and tropical climates, sorghum thrives under diverse conditions, making it a strategic choice to support energy transition while strengthening local economies. Beyond its role as an alternative food source, sorghum provides healthy nutrition options for communities.
Its stalks and leaves can be used as animal feed, supporting livestock sectors around the power plant. Sorghum also serves as a raw material for industry, including bioenergy, playing a vital role in reducing carbon emissions through co-firing programs. Additionally, sorghum contributes to food security and environmental sustainability, functioning as a cover crop that preserves soil quality, prevents erosion, and enhances land fertility. Cultivating sorghum opens new income streams for local farmers, creating a sustainable economic ecosystem. Sorghum thus becomes more than a plant—it symbolizes the synergy between clean energy, food resilience, and community empowerment.
Dr. Gatot Sugiharto, Sp.B., MARS, Head of the Sukabumi Regency Food Security Office, expressed strong appreciation for PLN IP’s initiative:
"We warmly welcome this effort. Sorghum planting not only expands food options but also opens new economic opportunities for our residents. This is a perfect orchestration to build villages and shape cities—a tangible step toward sustainable community empowerment," said Gatot Sugiharto.
Bernadus Sudarmanta, President Director of PLN Indonesia Power, emphasized that the program is part of Indonesia’s broader energy transition strategy:
"This is not merely a green energy project, but a transformative movement that delivers real benefits to the people of Sukabumi and the environment. Regulatory support, investment, and collective commitment are key to scaling up this program and maximizing its impact on Indonesia’s decarbonization agenda," explained Sudarmanta.
On the same occasion, Bowo Pramono, Senior Manager of PLN IP UBP JPR, highlighted that biomass utilization through co-firing is one of PLN’s main strategies to achieve Net Zero Emission (NZE) by 2060:
"Operational scale-up is being carried out gradually, with co-firing ratios increased by 5–10%, while continuously monitoring performance and optimizing operations," said Pramono.
Looking ahead, PLN Indonesia Power will continue supporting farmer groups to ensure productive and sustainable sorghum cultivation. The company also welcomes partnerships with various stakeholders to expand sorghum utilization as a biomass source, making power plant operations increasingly environmentally friendly.
This program demonstrates that energy transition is not only about technology, but also about human empowerment and ecosystem sustainability. By uniting clean energy with local economic growth, PLN IP invites all parties to join in planting the energy of the future.
For more information about PLN Indonesia Power’s programs, please visit the official portal: www.plnindonesiapower.co.id
Contact:
Agung Siswanto
Corporate Secretary, PLN Indonesia Power
Tel. (021) 5267666
About PLN Indonesia Power
PLN Indonesia Power is the largest generation company in Southeast Asia and a subholding of PT PLN (Persero). The company focuses on technological innovation, operational efficiency, and energy sustainability to support Indonesia’s national agenda toward Net Zero Emissions.
